Understanding API Proxies and Gateways: Navigating Forward and Reverse Proxies in Your Network

First, let’s explain why we use a proxy. Usually, an API proxy sits between the client and several APIs. It acts as a single access point to these APIs. In a setup with many microservices, this is essential. The proxy hides the real server addresses and helps protect the APIs of these microservices or the Application server. The diagram below will give you a clear picture of how this works.

The API Proxy is positioned behind the Firewall, which is set up to only let requests go to the API Proxy. This proxy then sends these requests to the right Application Server. It manages the routing, security, and other necessary operations.

We can split the API Proxy into two categories: Reverse proxy and Forward proxy. The Reverse proxy is the one you’ve seen before; it’s just another name for the API Proxy in the earlier image. The Forward proxy is different and is shown in the next figure. This kind of server lets a client hide their original IP details, like location. This is handy if you’re trying to visit a website that’s only open in certain countries. Using a Forward proxy, you first connect to the Proxy, which then accesses the website for you, sending the data through itself and back to you.

API Gateways serve a similar purpose to API Proxies, but they offer additional functionalities. Beyond simply forwarding requests, they can transform data to ensure compatibility between various API standards and protocols. This helps different systems to work together smoothly.

To put it very simple. API-Proxies are simpler, while gateways offer more features. Those features include:

• They come with advanced API functionalities that span the entire API lifecycle. This means they support everything from the creation of APIs (like mock services) to managing different versions and transforming requests and responses.
• Their security capabilities are more robust. While API proxies provide basic protection, gateways offer extensive security options. They can integrate with an organization’s identity providers (IDPs), manage OAuth flows, and work with JWT tokens.
• They improve the experience for developers. API gateways provide features such as developer portals, which make it easier to share API specifications, handle developer application registrations, and offer the ability to test APIs directly, whether these are shared externally with customers and partners or used internally.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading and I hope this article made the different Proxy types and the difference to a API-Gateway more clear.