How to use api management azure

AzureHow-ToBeginner · 4 min read

How to Use Azure API Management: Simple Guide

To use Azure API Management, first create an API Management service instance in the Azure portal. Then, import or create your APIs, configure policies for security and transformation, and publish them for clients to consume securely.

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Syntax

The main steps to use Azure API Management are:

Create Service: Set up an API Management instance in Azure.
Add APIs: Import existing APIs or create new ones.
Configure Policies: Apply rules like authentication, rate limiting, or transformation.
Publish APIs: Make APIs available to developers with keys and documentation.

bash

az apim create --name <service-name> --resource-group <resource-group> --location <location> --publisher-email <email> --publisher-name <name>
az apim api import --service-name <service-name> --resource-group <resource-group> --path <api-path> --specification-url <openapi-url>
az apim api policy set --service-name <service-name> --resource-group <resource-group> --api-id <api-id> --xml-policy-file <policy-file.xml>

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Example

This example shows how to create an API Management service, import a sample OpenAPI specification, and apply a simple rate-limit policy.

bash

az group create --name MyResourceGroup --location eastus
az apim create --name MyApiService --resource-group MyResourceGroup --location eastus --publisher-email admin@example.com --publisher-name Admin
az apim api import --service-name MyApiService --resource-group MyResourceGroup --path weather --specification-url https://raw.githubusercontent.com/OAI/OpenAPI-Specification/main/examples/v3.0/petstore.yaml
cat > rate-limit.xml <<EOF
<policies>
  <inbound>
    <rate-limit calls="10" renewal-period="60" />
  </inbound>
  <outbound />
  <on-error />
</policies>
EOF
az apim api policy set --service-name MyApiService --resource-group MyResourceGroup --api-id weather --xml-policy-file rate-limit.xml

Output

Resource group 'MyResourceGroup' created. API Management service 'MyApiService' created. API 'weather' imported. Policy applied to API 'weather'.

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Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using Azure API Management include:

Not setting up the correct resource group or location, causing deployment failures.
Importing APIs with invalid or unsupported OpenAPI specifications.
Forgetting to apply necessary policies like authentication, leading to unsecured APIs.
Not publishing the API or sharing subscription keys, so clients cannot access the API.

bash

## Wrong: Missing resource group
az apim create --name MyApiService --location eastus --publisher-email admin@example.com --publisher-name Admin

## Right: Include resource group
az apim create --name MyApiService --resource-group MyResourceGroup --location eastus --publisher-email admin@example.com --publisher-name Admin

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Quick Reference

Key commands and concepts for Azure API Management:

Command / Concept	Description
az apim create	Create an API Management service instance
az apim api import	Import an API using OpenAPI or other specs
az apim api policy set	Apply policies like rate limiting or authentication
API Policies	Rules to control API behavior and security
Subscription Keys	Keys clients use to access published APIs

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Key Takeaways

Create an Azure API Management service before adding APIs.

Import APIs using OpenAPI specs for easy setup.

Use policies to secure and control API access.

Publish APIs and share subscription keys with clients.

Avoid missing resource groups or invalid API specs.