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API Gateway throttling in AWS - Commands & Configuration

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Introduction
API Gateway throttling helps control the number of requests your API can handle at once. It protects your backend from too much traffic and keeps your service stable.
When you want to limit how many requests a user can send to your API per second to avoid overload.
When you need to protect your backend services from sudden traffic spikes.
When you want to ensure fair usage among multiple users calling your API.
When you want to avoid extra costs caused by unexpected high traffic.
When you want to maintain consistent performance for all API users.
Config File - api-gateway-throttle.json
api-gateway-throttle.json
{
  "Type": "AWS::ApiGateway::Stage",
  "Properties": {
    "StageName": "prod",
    "RestApiId": "abc123xyz",
    "MethodSettings": [
      {
        "ResourcePath": "/*",
        "HttpMethod": "*",
        "ThrottlingRateLimit": 10,
        "ThrottlingBurstLimit": 20
      }
    ]
  }
}

This JSON configures an API Gateway stage named 'prod'.

RestApiId links to your API.

MethodSettings applies throttling to all resources and methods.

ThrottlingRateLimit sets the steady request limit per second (10 requests/sec).

ThrottlingBurstLimit allows short bursts up to 20 requests.

Commands
Creates a new API Gateway REST API named 'example-api'.
Terminal
aws apigateway create-rest-api --name example-api
Expected OutputExpected
{ "id": "abc123xyz", "name": "example-api", "createdDate": "2024-06-01T12:00:00Z" }
→
--name - Sets the name of the new API
Deploys the API to a stage named 'prod' so it can be accessed.
Terminal
aws apigateway create-deployment --rest-api-id abc123xyz --stage-name prod
Expected OutputExpected
{ "id": "dep456def", "createdDate": "2024-06-01T12:05:00Z" }
→
--rest-api-id - Specifies which API to deploy
→
--stage-name - Names the deployment stage
Sets the throttling rate limit to 10 requests per second for all methods in the 'prod' stage.
Terminal
aws apigateway update-stage --rest-api-id abc123xyz --stage-name prod --patch-operations op=replace,path=/methodSettings/*~1*/~1*/throttlingRateLimit,value=10
Expected OutputExpected
{ "stageName": "prod", "methodSettings": { "*/*": { "throttlingRateLimit": 10 } } }
→
--patch-operations - Defines the update operation to change throttling settings
Verifies the throttling settings on the 'prod' stage.
Terminal
aws apigateway get-stage --rest-api-id abc123xyz --stage-name prod
Expected OutputExpected
{ "stageName": "prod", "methodSettings": { "*/*": { "throttlingRateLimit": 10, "throttlingBurstLimit": 20 } } }
Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: throttling limits protect your API and backend by controlling how many requests can happen at once.

Common Mistakes
Setting throttling limits too high or too low without testing.
Too high limits can overload your backend; too low limits can block legitimate users.
Start with moderate limits and adjust based on real traffic and backend capacity.
Not applying throttling settings to all methods and resources.
Some API paths might remain unprotected and cause overload.
Use wildcard paths and methods (/* and *) to cover all API endpoints.
Forgetting to deploy the API after changing throttling settings.
Changes won't take effect until deployment, causing confusion.
Always deploy your API after updates to apply new settings.
Summary
Create an API Gateway REST API and deploy it to a stage.
Use update-stage command with patch operations to set throttling limits.
Verify throttling settings with get-stage to ensure protection is active.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the primary purpose of API Gateway throttling in AWS?
easy
A. To store API request logs permanently
B. To limit the number of requests to protect backend services from overload
C. To increase the speed of API responses
D. To encrypt API requests automatically

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand API Gateway throttling purpose

    API Gateway throttling is designed to control the rate of incoming requests to prevent backend overload.

  2. Step 2: Evaluate options against throttling purpose

    Only To limit the number of requests to protect backend services from overload correctly describes throttling as limiting requests to protect backend services.

  3. Final Answer:

    To limit the number of requests to protect backend services from overload -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Throttling = Limit requests [OK]
Hint: Throttling means limiting requests to avoid overload [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing throttling with encryption
  • Thinking throttling speeds up responses
  • Assuming throttling stores logs
2. Which of the following correctly represents the syntax to set a rate limit of 100 requests per second in AWS API Gateway throttling settings?
easy
A. throttle(100, 200)
B. rate_limit = 100, burst_limit = 200
C. rateLimit: 100, burstLimit: 200
D. setRate(100), setBurst(200)

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify correct AWS API Gateway throttling syntax

    The correct syntax uses camelCase keys like rateLimit and burstLimit with numeric values.

  2. Step 2: Compare options to AWS documentation style

    rateLimit: 100, burstLimit: 200 matches the correct syntax format; others use invalid or pseudo-code styles.

  3. Final Answer:

    rateLimit: 100, burstLimit: 200 -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Correct syntax uses camelCase keys [OK]
Hint: AWS uses camelCase keys like rateLimit, burstLimit [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using underscores instead of camelCase
  • Using function calls instead of key-value pairs
  • Confusing method names with settings
3. Given the following API Gateway throttling settings: rateLimit: 50 and burstLimit: 100, what happens when 120 requests arrive simultaneously?
medium
A. Up to 100 requests are processed immediately; the rest are throttled
B. Only 50 requests are processed; the rest are throttled
C. All 120 requests are processed immediately
D. Requests are queued and processed one by one without throttling

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand burstLimit and rateLimit roles

    BurstLimit allows short spikes up to 100 requests at once; rateLimit controls steady rate at 50 requests per second.

  2. Step 2: Analyze 120 simultaneous requests

    Up to 100 requests are allowed immediately (burst), the remaining 20 exceed burst and get throttled.

  3. Final Answer:

    Up to 100 requests are processed immediately; the rest are throttled -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    BurstLimit = immediate spike limit [OK]
Hint: BurstLimit allows short spikes, rateLimit steady rate [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing rateLimit with burstLimit
  • Assuming all requests pass immediately
  • Thinking requests queue without throttling
4. You configured API Gateway throttling with rateLimit: 200 and burstLimit: 300. However, clients report receiving HTTP 429 errors even when sending 150 requests per second. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. The usage plan or API key limits are lower than throttling settings
B. The API Gateway cache is full, causing throttling
C. The backend service is down, causing 429 errors
D. The rateLimit and burstLimit values are too high

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand causes of HTTP 429 in API Gateway

    429 errors mean throttling triggered due to exceeding limits.

  2. Step 2: Check usage plan and API key limits

    Usage plans or API keys can have lower throttling limits overriding global settings, causing 429 errors at lower rates.

  3. Final Answer:

    The usage plan or API key limits are lower than throttling settings -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Usage plan limits override throttling [OK]
Hint: Check usage plan limits if throttling occurs unexpectedly [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Blaming backend service for 429 errors
  • Assuming cache affects throttling
  • Thinking high limits cause throttling
5. You design an API for a popular mobile app expecting sudden traffic spikes up to 1000 requests per second for short bursts, but steady traffic around 300 requests per second. How should you configure API Gateway throttling to handle this efficiently?
hard
A. Set rateLimit to 1000 and burstLimit to 300
B. Set both rateLimit and burstLimit to 1000
C. Set both rateLimit and burstLimit to 300
D. Set rateLimit to 300 and burstLimit to 1000

Solution

  1. Step 1: Match throttling settings to traffic patterns

    RateLimit controls steady request rate; BurstLimit allows short spikes above steady rate.

  2. Step 2: Apply to given traffic

    Set rateLimit to steady 300 requests/sec and burstLimit to 1000 for short spikes.

  3. Final Answer:

    Set rateLimit to 300 and burstLimit to 1000 -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    RateLimit steady, BurstLimit spike [OK]
Hint: RateLimit steady rate, BurstLimit handles spikes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Swapping rateLimit and burstLimit values
  • Setting both limits too low
  • Ignoring burstLimit for spikes
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