Spring Cloud Gateway for Kubernetes 2.2: A Focus on Enhanced GraphQL API Support

April 8, 2024 Michelle Sebek

March 28, 2024, marks the official minor release date of Spring Cloud Gateway for K8s version 2.2, and it's set to optimize how developers protect access to their GraphQL services.

In API management and microservices communications, there's always a mission for more secure, and flexible gateway solutions. The release of Spring Cloud Gateway for Kubernetes (K8s) version 2.2, is a significant milestone for developers aiming to optimize their Kubernetes environments.

Version 2.2 isn't simply another update; it's a testament to what community input and expertise can accomplish. This release includes advancements that cater to the evolving needs of Kubernetes implementations while improving API management through enhanced GraphQL support.

Technical Excellence Paired with User-Friendly Design

Spring Cloud Gateway for K8s version 2.2 brings updates and features developers have anticipated. This release blends innovation and up-to-the-minute functionalities – all within the realm of authoritative technical improvements.

  • GraphQL Enters the Spotlight: With filters curating queries by operation count, depth, and user role, GraphQL support delivers precise control over API interactions. This is backed by insights from Gartner, spotlighting the rise in GraphQL usage (Gartner on GraphQL usage).

  •  Updated Versions For Swift Compatibility: The update to Spring Boot 3.2.3 and Spring Cloud 2023.0.0 ensures compatibility and the platform's future readiness.

  •  Client TLS Support: Improved TLS (Transport Layer Security) support on the Tanzu Application Platform adds a new layer of security for critical client-server communication.

  •  Hazelcast 5.3.6 Integration: Your in-memory data store operations just got smoother. The upgrade is key for Single Sign-On session storage and rate limiting. Expect minor disruptions as you switch to this upgraded version, but the payoff in performance is immeasurable.

  •  Graceful Shutdown Improvements: With the latest Hazelcast version, your services can now shut down more gracefully, maintaining the integrity and continuity of your sessions.

  •  Actuator Gateway Endpoint Enhancements: Monitoring and managing your API gateways has never been easier.

  •  A Revamped Grafana Dashboard: A beautifully redesigned dashboard template allows more intuitive monitoring of your API gateway's performance.

Navigating the Transition

Transitioning to the new update requires some attention to detail to make sure everything goes smoothly. This means recreating the internal Hazelcast cluster, which will lead to a temporary loss of existing Single Sign-On (SSO) sessions and rate limit data. Although these setbacks might be inconvenient in the short term, the advantages—like enhanced integration, improved performance, and a more robust security setup—make it worthwhile.

If you're currently using Redis configurations, you won't notice much of a change right away with the Hazelcast update. However, it's worth considering transitioning to Redis for those who want to ensure continuous and uninterrupted service, especially with future updates in mind.

Collective Success – Shaped by Your Insights

This enhancement symbolizes our dedication to community-driven progress. Harnessing collective insights and a unified dedication to superior quality, Spring Cloud Gateway is constantly advancing. 

Take the opportunity to explore the release notes in-depth, and upgrade your Spring Cloud Gateway experience today. Tanzu Spring Runtime includes Spring Cloud Gateway as part of its entitlements. Let Tanzu accelerate your app delivery.

About the Author

Michelle Sebek

Michelle is a global product line marketing engineer for all things Spring. An accidental technologist who started with selling caller ID, she has worked in and around marketing and sales for a few decades launching new products, working with B2C, B2D, and B2B. Her first line of code was a few years back and she has been working with developers ever since. Michelle lives in the Pittsburgh region with her husband and two children. She loves to cook, entertain, lodge, travel, and binge-watch really bad TV. If you make her laugh, she will be your number one fan.

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