Sidecar Proxy Pros and Cons - Explained by Example

This course explores the concept of sidecar proxies in application design, focusing on abstracting networking features to enhance application maintenance. By comparing the traditional library pattern with the sidecar pattern, learners will understand the benefits and drawbacks of using sidecar proxies, such as language agnosticism, protocol upgrades, security, and more. The course covers examples of sidecar proxies like Linkerd, Envoy, and Istio, and discusses the complexities, latencies, and requirements of layer 7 sidecar proxies. The teaching method includes theoretical explanations and practical examples, making it suitable for software developers and architects interested in optimizing inter-service communications and enhancing application security and performance.