AWS DevOps Engineer Professional Practice Test

When configuring API Gateway, what is the main purpose of throttling?

1. To increase API latency

2. To limit the number of requests to protect backend services

3. To reduce AWS service costs

4. To enhance API security

The correct answer is: To limit the number of requests to protect backend services

Throttling in API Gateway serves a crucial purpose by limiting the number of requests that can be made to the API within a specified time frame. This mechanism is essential for protecting backend services from being overwhelmed by too many concurrent requests, which could lead to performance degradation, instability, or even crashes. By putting a cap on the number of requests that can be processed, throttling helps ensure that the backend can efficiently handle incoming traffic, maintain a consistent performance level, and remain available to all users. The implementation of throttling is particularly important in scenarios where multiple clients or applications are consuming the same API, as it prevents any single one of them from monopolizing resources. This not only safeguards the integrity and reliability of the service but also contributes to a better overall user experience by minimizing the risk of downtime and slow responses. While the other options relate to aspects of API management, they do not align with the core function of throttling. For instance, increasing latency is contrary to the goal of providing a swift response. Reducing AWS service costs is more related to optimizing resource usage or selecting efficient service tiers rather than directly linked to throttling. Enhancing security, while an important consideration, is typically addressed through other means such as authentication and authorization mechanisms, rather