LLM API Proxy Architecture Design
Learn how to design and implement a scalable, secure, and efficient LLM proxy architecture. From request routing to caching strategies, build production-grade AI infrastructure.
Core Components
Essential building blocks for proxy architecture
Authentication Layer
Validate API keys, manage tokens, and enforce access control policies at the edge.
Request Router
Route requests to appropriate providers based on model, cost, or availability requirements.
Response Cache
Cache identical requests to reduce latency and provider API costs significantly.
Rate Limiter
Enforce rate limits at user and global levels to prevent quota exhaustion and abuse.
Circuit Breaker
Protect against cascading failures by opening circuits when providers are unhealthy.
Metrics Collector
Collect latency, token usage, and error metrics for monitoring and optimization.
Design Patterns
Proven patterns for reliable proxy systems
Implement intelligent retry logic for transient failures with increasing delays.
retry: max_attempts: 3 backoff: exponential base_delay: 1s max_delay: 30s
Chain multiple providers for automatic failover when primary fails.
providers: primary: openai fallback: - anthropic - google strategy: ordered
Distribute requests across multiple API keys or providers for optimal performance.
load_balance: strategy: round_robin health_check: 30s weights: openai: 60 anthropic: 40
Check cache before provider, store responses for future identical requests.
cache: enabled: true ttl: 1h key_hash: sha256 max_size: 10000
Design Your Proxy Architecture
Build scalable, reliable LLM infrastructure with proven architecture patterns and comprehensive component design.