A thin application program interface (API) server that offers an interface for an already-existing service or set of services is known as an api proxies.
A “proxy” acts as the middleman or agent for another object. Proxies are used in software design to separate two software components and allow them to develop independently. The front-end and back-end service components, which are in the cloud and the latter in the data centre, are separated using proxy servers in modern computing and hybrid clouds in particular.
The most common method for software programs to communicate with one another and expose data in various contexts and channels is through application programming interfaces (APIs). The user interface, often known as the “front end,” can be linked with back-end services using APIs. These back-end services are out-of-date software user interface standards and data structures incompatible with front-end and cloud deployments.
Will I Need to Use an API Proxy?
A lightweight API gateway is essentially what an api proxies, It has fundamental security and monitoring features. Consequently, an API proxy is suitable if you already have an API and your expectations are straightforward.
But an API proxy can only do so much. It truly isn’t capable in terms of content or routing. Additionally, orchestration, mediation, and transformation are not permitted to use it.
Is an API Gateway Right for Us?
An API gateway provides a substantially greater variety of features than an API proxy. When you use an API gateway to expose one, you don’t even have to start with one. Different existing services can be combined using the gateway to create a contemporary, well-organised API.
Of course, the gateway continues to provide the same security and monitoring features that an API proxy would. However, it goes much further with these and other skills.
An API gateway, as opposed to an API proxy, provides service orchestration, transformation, mediation, and DoS protection (including antivirus and threat detection).
A gateway can do integrations, whereas a proxy server cannot.
Instead of using an ESB as your integration server, you might utilise an API gateway. API gateways help you modernise your apps and are more effective and secure.
Additionally, an API Gateway is more versatile than a proxy. API Gateway is an example of a well-designed and built gateway that automatically optimises its settings based on usage. It can operate admirably as a proxy. Therefore, you should be careful to pick a gateway that understands when to behave as a pleasant, simple proxy.
