Introducing WSO2 API Manager 4.3: Stronger, Streamlined API Management

We’re delighted to announce the release of WSO2 API Manager 4.3, a significant upgrade that enhances your API ecosystem's performance, security, and scalability. 

WSO2 API Manager, an industry-leading open source API management solution, offers a unified platform for creating, publishing, and overseeing APIs, enabling organizations to securely expose their services with both internal and external stakeholders. Equipped with comprehensive capabilities for traffic control, security, analytics, and API monetization, it streamlines the entire API lifecycle — from design to consumption and retirement. It also supports a wide range of deployment options like on-premises, cloud, and hybrid. 

Our latest version introduces a range of new features and improvements, focusing on simplifying API management tasks and ensuring robust security and efficient management of your API products.

Key Enhancements in WSO2 API Manager 4.3:

• A Unified Control Plane for WSO2 API Manager and WSO2 API Platform for Kubernetes (WSO2 APK): WSO2 APK boasts gateway functionalities, serving as a comprehensive data plane. This permits easy deployment of lightweight, container-native data plane instances using WSO2 APK. It harnesses Kubernetes' capabilities to streamline API management, facilitating the creation of scalable, sturdy, and adaptable API ecosystems with reduced overhead. The latest release empowers users to administer WSO2 APK’s data plane via the API Manager 4.3 control plane. Additionally, it offers the flexibility to utilize WSO2 API Manager 4.3 as the control plane for managing the WSO2 APK data plane.

Figure 1: Unified control plane (WSO2 API Manager and WSO2 APK)

• AI-Based Developer Assistant: We're excited to unveil our latest AI-driven features designed to empower API consumers and enhance productivity. Our new AI-powered API Chat (Beta) enhances the way users interact with and test APIs. Without needing in-depth technical know-how, users can now engage in natural language conversations to test APIs, making the process seamless and user-friendly. For example, a user could ask the AI assistant to test a scenario to check if an item is available to place an order and finally update the shipping address.
  
  
• AI-Powered API Marketplace Assistant (Beta): By interacting with the assistant using natural language, users receive personalized API recommendations, streamlining the search experience and ensuring quick and accurate API selection. For example, let’s say a developer is writing an application that needs to convert currencies and must search for an API that will support this requirement. The developer can now type, “I need an API to convert currencies”. The AI assistant will suggest all the APIs that are helpful even though the exact technical terms are not provided (e.g., USD to LKR). 

Figure 2: AI-assisted API testing chat

Figure 3: AI-assisted API marketplace assistant

• Ephemeral Access Tokens: To enhance security and performance, ephemeral access token support eliminates the need for token persistence, addressing the scalability challenges in large-scale deployments and ensuring a high-performing API ecosystem.
• API Products Versioning: This feature introduces versioning support for API products, allowing better management and maintenance of different API product versions, and facilitating a more organized approach to API lifecycle management.
• OpenAPI 3.1.0 Support: Embracing the latest industry standards, OpenAPI 3.1.0 support ensures that APIs are designed with the most up-to-date specifications, enhancing interoperability and developer experience.
• Advanced Diagnostics and Policy Support: New runtime diagnostics tools offer in-depth insights into API performance and issues, while enhanced API level policy support allows for more granular policy application, improving security and customization.
• Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Integration and Improved Access Control: The addition of Azure AD as a third-party key manager broadens the spectrum of external key manager integrations, enhancing security features. Enhanced role-based access control in the Admin Portal and Developer Portal ensures precise management capabilities and improved security compliance.

More information about these features can be found here.

Try WSO2 API Manager Today!

For more than 13 years, WSO2 API Manager has established itself as a leading API management solution, serving a wide array of industries and organizations globally. The product is trusted by leading enterprises, educational institutions, and government bodies worldwide.

Ready to dive in? Visit our product page to start exploring the solution. For a deeper understanding, our comprehensive product documentation and Quick Start Guide are available to assist you. If you’re interested in a personalized demo, feel free to contact us, and we'd be delighted to arrange one tailored to your needs.