AWS API Gateway

What is AWS API Gateway?

AWS API Gateway is a fully managed service that allows you to create, deploy, and manage APIs at any scale. It acts as an interface between clients and backend services, helping developers expose their applications securely and efficiently.

Key Features of AWS API Gateway

• RESTful and WebSocket APIs – Supports both REST APIs and WebSocket APIs for real-time communication.
• Scalability – Automatically scales to handle thousands of requests per second.
• Security – Offers authentication, authorization, and access control using AWS IAM, Lambda authorizers, and Amazon Cognito.
• Monitoring & Logging – Integrated with Amazon CloudWatch to track API requests, errors, and performance.
• Throttling & Rate Limiting – Protects APIs from abuse by limiting request rates.
• Caching – Improves performance by reducing backend workload using an in-memory cache.
• API Versioning – Supports multiple versions of APIs for better lifecycle management.
• Integration with AWS Services – Works seamlessly with AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, EC2, and more.

How AWS API Gateway Works?

• Client Sends a Request – A user or system makes an API request via HTTP/HTTPS.
• API Gateway Receives the Request – API Gateway processes the request and checks security policies.
• Routes Request to Backend – API Gateway forwards the request to an AWS Lambda function, an EC2 instance, an AWS service, or an external server.
• Processes Response – The backend service processes the request and sends a response.
• API Gateway Returns Response – The response is sent back to the client after any necessary transformations.

Types of APIs in AWS API Gateway

• REST APIs – Traditional APIs using RESTful principles with HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
• HTTP APIs – Lightweight APIs optimized for low-latency applications.
• WebSocket APIs – Real-time, bidirectional communication APIs used in chat apps, gaming, and notifications.

Security Features

• IAM Permissions Controls API access using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM).
• API Keys Restricts API access to authenticated users.
• Lambda Authorizers Enables custom authentication using AWS Lambda.
• Amazon Cognito Manages user authentication and authorization.
• TLS Encryption Ensures secure data transmission.

Pricing Model

AWS API Gateway pricing is based on usage:

• Requests – Charged per API call.
• Data Transfer – Costs depend on the amount of data sent and received.
• Caching – Additional cost for enabling caching to reduce backend load.

Steps to Create an API in AWS API Gateway

• Sign in to AWS Console Navigate to API Gateway.
• Create a New API Choose between REST, HTTP, or WebSocket API.
• Define Resources and Methods Set up endpoints and HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.).
• Integrate with Backend Connect to AWS Lambda, EC2, or other services.
• Enable Authentication & Security Configure IAM, API keys, or Cognito.
• Deploy the API Publish your API to a specific stage (e.g., dev, prod).
• Test the API Use Postman or AWS API Gateway’s built-in testing tool.
• Monitor & Optimize Enable logging and performance monitoring.

Final Thoughts

AWS API Gateway is a powerful tool for building and managing APIs securely and efficiently. Whether you are creating a simple API for a mobile app or managing a large-scale microservices ecosystem, API Gateway provides the tools needed to scale, secure, and optimize API performance.