Overview
API management encompasses the tools, processes, and practices for governing, securing, and monitoring APIs throughout their lifecycle.
Core Components
API Gateway
- Single Entry Point: Centralized API access
- Request Routing: Route requests to appropriate services
- Protocol Translation: Convert between protocols
- Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across instances
Developer Portal
- API Documentation: Interactive documentation
- API Keys: Developer registration and key management
- Usage Analytics: Track API consumption
- Support: Developer support resources
API Analytics
- Usage Metrics: Track API calls and performance
- Error Monitoring: Identify and alert on issues
- Business Intelligence: API usage insights
- Compliance Reporting: Audit and compliance data
API Gateway Features
Traffic Management
- Rate Limiting: Control request rates
- Throttling: Prevent abuse and ensure fair usage
- Caching: Improve performance and reduce load
- Load Balancing: Distribute traffic efficiently
Security
- Authentication: Verify API consumers
- Authorization: Control access to resources
- Encryption: Secure data in transit
- Threat Protection: Block malicious requests
Transformation
- Request/Response Transformation: Modify data formats
- Protocol Conversion: Convert between protocols
- Data Mapping: Transform data structures
- Header Manipulation: Add/modify headers
Popular API Management Platforms
Kong
- Open Source: Free and extensible
- Plugin Architecture: 50+ plugins available
- Cloud-Native: Kubernetes support
- Enterprise Features: Available in Kong Enterprise
Apigee (Google Cloud)
- Full Lifecycle: Design, secure, deploy, monitor
- API Analytics: Advanced analytics and insights
- Monetization: API usage billing
- Integration: Strong Google Cloud integration
AWS API Gateway
- Serverless: No infrastructure management
- Integration: Direct AWS service integration
- Security: Built-in authentication and authorization
- Monitoring: CloudWatch integration
Azure API Management
- Hybrid Support: On-premises and cloud
- Developer Portal: Customizable developer experience
- Policies: Extensive policy framework
- Integration: Strong Azure ecosystem integration
MuleSoft Anypoint
- iPaaS: Integration platform as a service
- API Design: RAML-based design
- Governance: API governance and lifecycle
- Exchange: API discovery and reuse
Rate Limiting Strategies
Fixed Window
// Allow 100 requests per minute
const requests = getRequestsInLastMinute();
if (requests >= 100) {
return "Rate limit exceeded";
}Sliding Window
// More precise rate limiting
const requests = getRequestsInSlidingWindow();
if (requests >= 100) {
return "Rate limit exceeded";
}Token Bucket
// Burst allowance with steady rate
if (tokens > 0) {
tokens--;
return "Allow";
} else {
return "Rate limit exceeded";
}API Versioning & Lifecycle
Versioning Strategies
- URL Versioning:
/v1/users,/v2/users - Header Versioning: Custom headers
- Content Negotiation: Accept headers
Lifecycle Management
- Design: API specification and design
- Development: Implementation and testing
- Deployment: Release to production
- Deprecation: Phase out old versions
- Retirement: Remove deprecated APIs
Monitoring & Observability
Key Metrics
- Availability: Uptime and reliability
- Performance: Response times and throughput
- Errors: Error rates and types
- Usage: API consumption patterns
Logging
- Request Logs: All API requests and responses
- Error Logs: Detailed error information
- Audit Logs: Security and compliance events
- Performance Logs: Timing and resource usage
Alerting
- Threshold Alerts: Performance degradation
- Error Alerts: High error rates
- Security Alerts: Suspicious activity
- Usage Alerts: Abnormal usage patterns
API Governance
Policies & Standards
- Design Standards: Consistent API design
- Security Policies: Security requirements
- Documentation Standards: Documentation quality
- Testing Requirements: Quality assurance
Compliance
- Industry Standards: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS
- API Standards: REST, GraphQL best practices
- Organizational Policies: Company-specific rules
Microservices & API Management
Service Mesh Integration
- Istio: Service-to-service communication
- Linkerd: Lightweight service mesh
- Consul: Service discovery and configuration
API Composition
- GraphQL Gateway: Compose multiple APIs
- BFF Pattern: Backend for Frontend
- API Orchestration: Coordinate multiple services
Cost Management
Usage-Based Pricing
- Tiered Pricing: Different price points
- Pay-per-Use: Charge based on usage
- Subscription Models: Monthly/annual plans
Cost Optimization
- Caching: Reduce backend load
- Compression: Reduce data transfer
- Efficient Protocols: Use efficient serialization