L7 gateway
An L7 gateway operates at the application layer to perform content-aware routing, load balancing, and security functions for HTTP(S) traffic, enhancing performance and protection for web applications.
An L7 gateway is a network appliance that operates at OSI layer 7 to route and manage HTTP and HTTPS requests based on content—such as URL paths, headers, or cookies—enabling granular traffic control and efficient application delivery.
Common features include SSL/TLS termination for offloading encryption, URL-based routing, content caching, and web application firewall capabilities to inspect and filter application-layer traffic. By combining security and load balancing, the gateway centralizes policies and improves resilience for web services.
During deployment, administrators configure routing rules, upload SSL certificates, and define security policies. L7 gateways integrate with service discovery and perform health checks to dynamically adjust backend pools. Proper certificate management and rule organization are critical to avoid misconfigurations and maintain application security and availability.