API Acceleration  From Open Source Caching to Edge Computing with Varnish - Henry Choi
Channel: FOSSASIA
Date: 2023-11-05

HTTP-based APIs have become indispensable for the inner workings of the modern-day Internet. Not only are APIs a foundational element of the mobile-first world we live in, but they are also the glue between all the components in a microservice architecture. But, when you’ve suddenly got a surge of traffic, can you ensure your APIs are always available with acceptable response times, especially at large scale? We’ve seen that even the biggest organizations often find themselves unprepared – and the results can be catastrophic.

There’s a simple – yet powerful – solution and it’s entirely open-source: accelerate your APIs by caching them with Varnish Cache, the world’s most advanced open-source cache solution that today accelerates over 10 million of the world’s top websites. Virtually every developer has heard of Varnish Cache, but few know it can be used to accelerate APIs and offload workloads on the edge. This presentation will cover leveraging the power of HTTP's built-in caching mechanisms in Varnish Cache as well as use cases to implement intelligent caching and API acceleration at the edge with Varnish Cache's built-in VCL programming language.

Attendees will learn how to use Varnish Configuration Language (VCL) to influence caching decisions, connect to various backends, offload authentication, perform rate limiting and throttling, and even create a personalized caching experience by modifying API output on the edge.

Henry Choi
Solutions Engineer, Varnish Software
Henry is a seasoned Solutions Architect with over 15 years of experience in digital content security and content delivery networks. Based in Asia, he has extensive experience working with international customers and a deep understanding of the needs of Asian customers.

He is skilled in designing innovative technology solutions that meet the diverse needs of businesses and is known for his expertise in multiple platforms and technologies. Henry is an effective communicator, able to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and is a proven leader in cross-functional project teams. His ability to drive business value through creative solutions has made him a valuable asset to his clients.