"proxy" is a term used to describe a server "proxy" is a reference to a proxy frequently called proxy server software that functions in the role of intermediary between a client and server on the internet. Without a proxy, a client could send a request to an online server and the server would then serve direct to the requester. Although this method is easy to grasp and implement, adding proxies provides advantages like more speed and security, privacy, and so on. As a pass-through layer the proxy acts as a security layer for the internet between clients and servers.




The general set of server hardware and the software to install proxy servers is commonly referred to as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers which are usually described as software but specifically with respect to web servers. We will provide a brief overview of the two primary types of proxy servers: the reverse proxy as well as a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a different usage scenario, which is often misinterpreted due to the common terminology.




This article will provide you with an idea of nature of proxies, as well as their subtypes are and the ways that they can prove useful in various configurations. If you go through this article, you'll discover the circumstances in which using proxies can be beneficial and identify the best option between reverse proxy and forward proxy for a particular scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy also referred to as an open proxy is the client's representative who is trying to relay a request through the internet to a server that is the source. In this case every request made from the user's side will be handled by an forward proxy. This forward proxy acting in the place of the client, will examine the request. Then, it will determine whether the client is permitted to make requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject an request and transfer it on to the server that originated the request. The client is unable to establish a direct connection to the internet. It can only connect to the internet that the forward proxy allows for it to reach.




The most common reason for using forward proxy services is to improve privacy or security when using the internet. Forward proxy allows you to access the internet instead of a client, and in this way, it utilizes an IP address that is different from the original IP address of the client.




Based on the way it's set up depending on how it's set up forward proxy can provide a variety of functions and allow users to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify restrictions based upon your geographical location.




Forward proxies can also be used to secure systems that are centralized and access based on permissions, like in a workplace. If all internet traffic goes through a common forward proxy layer an administrator might restrict access for only a select group of users to the internet and be filtered by a common firewall. Instead of creating security firewalls on the layer that is used by clients that can be utilized by a variety of computers, with various kinds of environments, it is possible to establish an firewall that is located in the layer that forwards proxy traffic.




Be aware that forward proxy servers require manual configuration for use in order to be used, while reverse proxy servers can be obfuscated by clients. Based on whether or not an IP address belonging to a user is relayed back to the origin server by the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.




There are many options to consider for forward proxies.




Apache A well-known, open-source web server that comes with forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx is another widely-used open-source webserver which comes with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is a free forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It's not part of the entire web server. Learn more about how to configure Squid proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which is more appropriate for applications such as peer-to -peer traffic. You may also want to learn how to set up Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions to act as a proxy for web server which processes requests from customers for its behalf. The server could be either a single or multiple servers. Also, it could serve as an app server, like Gunicorn. In any case, a request would come via the internet in general. The request is typically sent directly to the web server hosting the information the client is in need of. Instead, a reverse proxy acts as an intermediary and isolates Web servers from any direct contact with the public internet.




From the point of view from the client's perspective the procedure of using reverse proxy isn't any different from interacting with the server on its own. It's the same, but the client is unable to see the difference. The client requests the resource, and then receives it, without any additional configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxies provide features like:




The web server is secured centrally.


Traffic coming into your site is routed by rules you have set.


A new feature for caching has been added.




While centralized security is a benefit offered by both reverse and forward proxy servers. However, reverse proxies offer this feature to only the server layer, it is not available to the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls at the server level that may contain several servers, each with various configurations, the bulk of security for firewalls is concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. In addition, removing the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and connecting with client requests away from web servers enables the firewall to focus on meeting the needs of their customers.




If there are multiple servers hosted within a reverse proxy this reverse proxy will be accountable for the way requests are routed to which server. There could be multiple web servers offering the identical service, providing different kinds of resources, or a mix of the two. These servers may use an HTTP protocol to serve as an ordinary web server but can also include application server protocols such as FastCGI. You can also set up reverse proxy settings to send users to a specific server based on the resource requested or to follow certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies may also profit from their position before web servers by offering the ability to cache. Large static assets can be configured using caching rules to ensure that web servers are not hit each time you request. There are options that allow you to serve directly static assets, without connecting to the web server in any way. Additionally, reverse proxy is able to compress these assets.




The renowned Nginx web server can also function as a reliable reverse proxy service. Even though Apache has a reverse proxy service however, the Apache web server is also outfitted with reverse proxy function which is a feature available to Apache but Nginx was originally designed to specifically focus on reverse proxy capabilities.



The distinction between Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Since "forward" as well as "reverse" have connotations of directionality as well as misleading comparisons to "incoming" or "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing because both kinds of proxies deal with both requests as well as responses. The best way to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy is to analyze the specifications of the application you're developing.




Reverse proxy can be useful in the development of a method to connect web-based applications to the internet. They serve as your web servers whenever you use the internet.




Forward proxy is helpful when you are to present your customers' information to use for personal purposes or in an office setting. They serve as the proxy for your client when you interact with the internet.




Differentiating by case of use instead of focusing solely on common naming conventions can help you avoid confusion.



Conclusion



This article explains what a proxy is with two types: forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical examples of its use and a brief overview of beneficial features were used to differentiate forward proxies and reverse proxy. If you're looking to know more about proxy servers, you should check out our tutorial on how you can configure Nginx as a reverse proxy by using Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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