API Rate Limiting Setup is a backend security and performance mechanism that controls how many requests a user, device, or system can make to an API within a specific time period. It helps prevent server overload, abuse, and malicious attacks such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service).
By defining request limits (for example, 100 requests per minute per user), the system ensures fair usage of resources for all clients. Once the limit is exceeded, additional requests are temporarily blocked or delayed until the time window resets.
This setup improves system stability, enhances performance, and protects backend infrastructure from unnecessary strain. It is commonly implemented in REST APIs, cloud services, and microservices architectures using tools like gateways, middleware, or built-in framework features.