LOCKEDIN / FORWARD-DEPLOYED ENGINEERING 101
Understand it.
Then build it.
You can be an experienced engineer and still be new to agents. Start with what each thing is and how it helps a person do useful work. Explore 48 original introductions across software, agents, cloud, security and delivery. Start here without a model key; each topic connects to deeper instruction and practice.
- 101UnderstandPlain language, visual walkthrough, vocabulary
- 102Build with guidanceOriginal lessons, examples and knowledge checks
- 103Practise and explainRunnable labs, failure cases and handover
- 01Identify the caller
- 02Apply policy
- 03Observe safely
An API management service and gateway
What is Azure API Management?
Azure API Management (APIM) puts a managed interface and policies in front of backend APIs. Its AI gateway capabilities can control and observe traffic to models and tools. It can apply authentication, quotas and other policies, depending on the service tier and backend support.
An enterprise often needs common access, token limits and visibility across many AI applications.
CONNECT IT TO WHAT YOU KNOW
Start with something familiar.
It is a controlled entry point in front of several services. It can check and route requests consistently, while each backend still owns its business rules.
A gateway is not the agent's reasoning loop and is not proof of tenant-safe retrieval. Backends must still enforce resource access and validate consequential actions.
Words worth knowing
- Gateway
- An intermediary through which API traffic passes.
- Policy
- A configured rule applied to requests or responses.
- Backend
- The service receiving the forwarded request.
ONE EXAMPLE / FICTIONAL CASE
Watch the work take shape.
Two internal applications share a model backend but need separate identities, budgets and request telemetry.
- 01Identify the caller
- 02Apply policy
- 03Observe safely
Identify the caller
Authenticate the application and attach a trusted policy scope; never accept a caller's unverified claim about its own privilege.
A known consuming applicationFROM RECOGNITION TO REASONING
Specify a gateway policy without provisioning it.
- 01
Give two fictional applications different request and token budgets.
- 02
Decide how identity determines the budget.
- 03
List which authorization checks remain inside the backend.
A policy table and a backend-responsibility note.
Compare your reasoning when you are ready
A gateway can reject over-budget traffic before inference. It cannot infer whether a particular procedure record belongs to the caller unless that resource policy is explicitly implemented.
Keep notes in your own working copy. Moving through these cards does not record completion.
TURN THE IDEA INTO USEFUL WORK
You can now go deeper.
A gateway is not the agent's reasoning loop and is not proof of tenant-safe retrieval. Backends must still enforce resource access and validate consequential actions.
Academy lessons use your existing training access. Free guides stay open.