API Gateway vs Load Balancer vs Reverse Proxy: when to use what?

Content Introduction

Key Information

• The video discusses the concepts of load balancers, API gateways, and reverse proxies.
• It highlights the complexity of integrating these components into a cohesive architecture, addressing common user struggles in understanding their interactions.
• The video outlines the function of a load balancer as the initial point of contact for incoming requests, redistributing traffic across multiple API gateways, which then route requests to appropriate services.
• Different types of architecture are explored, emphasizing that multiple structures are possible depending on specific requirements and design.
• The video introduces the API Gateway, explaining its capabilities beyond those of a reverse proxy, such as service discovery and rate limiting.
• It also touches on Ingress controllers in Kubernetes, which operate as reverse proxies for managing traffic routing in cloud environments.
• The video provides a practical example of managing traffic distribution between production and staging environments, illustrating the flexibility of the discussed systems.