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API Gateway Architecture in Cloud Computing

Learn about API Gateway Architecture in this comprehensive Cloud Computing tutorial. Design patterns.

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1Direct AWS Integrations

A highly advanced serverless pattern involves using API Gateway to communicate directly with AWS services (like SQS, EventBridge, or DynamoDB) using Apache Velocity Template Language (VTL). This entirely removes the Lambda function layer, reducing latency, cold starts, and cost, while still providing a secure HTTP endpoint.

2Step-by-Step Breakdown

What is API Gateway?. A fully managed service that makes it easy for developers to create, publish, maintain, monitor, and secure APIs at any scale.

REST APIs vs HTTP APIs. REST APIs offer a massive feature set (request validation, WAF, API keys). HTTP APIs are newer, faster, and up to 71% cheaper, but lack some advanced features.

WebSocket APIs. API Gateway also supports stateful WebSocket connections, enabling real-time two-way communication (e.g., chat apps, live dashboards).

Stages & Deployments. You deploy your APIs to 'Stages' (like dev, staging, prod). Each stage acts as an isolated environment with its own URL and configuration.

Knowledge Check. Which API Gateway type should you choose if you need the absolute lowest latency and cheapest cost, and you don't need AWS WAF integration?

→REST API
→HTTP API

Integration Types. API Gateway can route traffic to Lambda functions, direct HTTP endpoints, or even directly to other AWS services (like writing directly to DynamoDB without Lambda).

Throttling & Quotas. Protect your backend from DDoS or abuse by setting Throttling limits (requests per second) and Quotas (requests per month) using Usage Plans.

CORS Configuration. Enable Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) directly in API Gateway to allow modern web browsers to securely call your API from a different domain.

Authentication. Secure your APIs natively using Amazon Cognito User Pools, Lambda Custom Authorizers (for custom JWTs), or IAM permissions.

Summary. API Gateway manages the heavy lifting of API security, scaling, and routing.

Pascual Vila

Frontend Instructor // Code Syllabus

Common Pitfalls & Errors

The Error //

Choosing REST APIs when HTTP APIs would be cheaper and simpler

// Default choice: HTTP API
aws apigatewayv2 create-api --name my-api --protocol-type HTTP --target arn:aws:lambda:...

// Only use REST API if you need usage plans, API keys, or request validation/transformation

The Solution //

HTTP APIs are up to 70% cheaper and have lower latency than REST APIs, and cover most common use cases (Lambda proxy integration, JWT authorizers, CORS). Only reach for REST APIs when you need a feature HTTP APIs don't support, like request/response transformation, API keys with usage plans, or private VPC endpoints.

The Error //

Leaving an API Gateway endpoint public with no throttling or auth

aws apigateway create-usage-plan --name basic --throttle burstLimit=200,rateLimit=100

The Solution //

An API Gateway route with no authorizer and no usage plan/throttling is exposed to abuse and unbounded cost from a traffic spike. Attach an authorizer (IAM, JWT/Cognito, or a Lambda authorizer) and configure throttling limits on every route that isn't intentionally public.