API Gateway
An API gateway is a reverse proxy that sits between clients and backend services, providing a single entry point for API requests. It handles cross-cutting concerns like authentication, rate limiting, request routing, load balancing, SSL termination, request/response transformation, and monitoring. In AI architectures, API gateways manage access to LLM endpoints, enforce per-user rate limits and token budgets, route requests to different model providers, and provide a unified API surface for multiple backend services. Popular options include Kong, Traefik, AWS API Gateway, and Nginx.
Related Terms
Rate Limiting
InfrastructureRate limiting is a technique for controlling the frequency of requests a client can make to an API or service within a specified time window.
Authentication (JWT)
InfrastructureJWT (JSON Web Token) authentication is a stateless authentication mechanism where the server issues a digitally signed token containing user identity claims after successful login.
Reverse Proxy
InfrastructureA reverse proxy is a server that sits in front of backend services and forwards client requests to the appropriate backend, adding capabilities like SSL termination, load balancing, caching, and request routing.
Load Balancing
InfrastructureLoad balancing distributes incoming network traffic across multiple backend server instances to ensure no single server becomes a bottleneck, improving application availability and responsiveness.
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