What are the steps to implement a proxy architecture design pattern in software solution architecture?

1 Identify the resource or service

The first step is to identify the resource or service that you want to protect or enhance with a proxy. This could be a database, a web service, a file system, or any other component that provides some functionality or data. You need to define the interface or contract that the resource or service exposes to the clients or consumers.

2 Design the proxy object

The second step is to design the proxy object that will act as a substitute or intermediary for the resource or service. The proxy object should implement the same interface or contract as the resource or service, so that it can be used interchangeably by the clients or consumers. The proxy object should also encapsulate the logic or behavior that you want to add or modify, such as authentication, authorization, caching, logging, or remote communication.

3 Implement the proxy object

The third step is to implement the proxy object in your preferred programming language or framework. You need to write the code that implements the interface or contract of the resource or service, and delegates the requests to the actual resource or service. You also need to write the code that implements the logic or behavior that you want to add or modify, such as checking the credentials, caching the results, logging the actions, or sending the requests over the network.

4 Test the proxy object

The fourth step is to test the proxy object and verify that it works as expected. You need to ensure that the proxy object can handle the requests from the clients or consumers, and forward them to the resource or service. You also need to ensure that the proxy object can perform the logic or behavior that you want to add or modify, such as enforcing the security, improving the performance, recording the events, or accessing the remote resource or service.

5 Deploy the proxy object

The fifth step is to deploy the proxy object and integrate it with the resource or service and the clients or consumers. You need to configure the proxy object and the resource or service to communicate with each other, and update the clients or consumers to use the proxy object instead of the resource or service. You may need to adjust some parameters or settings, such as the connection strings, the authentication tokens, the cache size, or the log level.

6 Monitor and maintain the proxy object

The sixth step is to monitor and maintain the proxy object and ensure that it operates smoothly and reliably. You need to collect and analyze the metrics and logs that the proxy object generates, and identify any issues or errors that may occur. You also need to update and improve the proxy object as needed, and apply any changes or fixes that may affect the resource or service or the clients or consumers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?