The word "proxy" is a reference to a proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is an application which serves as an intermediary between client and server over the internet. Without the use of a proxy, a user could submit a request for the server directly and the server will provide direct access to that resource. While this is a simple method to understand and apply using proxy servers, it could provide advantages in terms of enhanced performance, privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through a proxy serves as a security safeguard for the internet, separating clients from servers.




The mix of hardware for servers and installed proxy software is generally called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are typically described as software, as well as in the context of web servers. The article will offer an explanation of the two kinds: forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind of proxy has its own situation, and is frequently misunderstood due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will provide you with the understanding of what subtypes and proxies are and what they perform in the most common configurations. After reading this article, you'll be able identify situations in which the use of proxies is advantageous and select the best choice between forward and reverse proxy for any particular scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy sometimes known by the name of an open proxy is an agent for users who are looking to transmit an online request to an source server. In this instance, the entire process of sending requests initiated by the client will instead be routed via an forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting on behalf of the client, will review the request. It will first determine if the client is authorized to send requests via this particular forward proxy. It then decides whether to deny requests or redirect them to the server that originally made the request. The client doesn't have a direct connection to the internet. It can access only what forward proxy enables it to access.




The most popular reason to utilize forward proxy is the need for more privacy or security online. A forward proxy links to internet, not the client, and in this manner, it utilizes an IP address that is different from the IP address that the user is using.




Based on the way it has been set up the forward proxy will provide many functions, based on the configuration, which permits you to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions that are based on your location.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide centralized security and access based on permissions such as in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy the administrator is able to restrict access only to a select group of clients to the internet. This is filtered by the common firewall. Instead of creating firewalls at this layer of clients that could include multiple devices with different settings and users the firewall could be placed at the layer that forwards proxy data.




It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxies need to be manually configured to be used, while reverse proxies can be ignored by the client. Based on the type of the IP address that a user is transmitted to the server that originated it through forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or hidden.




There are many possibilities to consider when it comes to forward proxy choices:




Apache is an well-known open-source web server that offers forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx is another well-known open-source web server with forward proxy features.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy which uses an HTTP protocol. It's not part of the complete Web server. We've got a guide on how you can install Squid proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it better suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer connections. It is also possible to discover how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy is an agent for a web server that handles requests from users for. The web server can be a single server or multiple servers. It could also serve as an application server like Gunicorn. The request will be made via the internet in general. In the majority of cases the request will be made straight to the webserver that hosts the information that the user is seeking. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, separating this webserver from direct connections with the internet's open.




From the viewpoint of a user the experience of interacting with reverse proxy is no different than interacting with your webserver directly. It's basically the same however the client is unable to recognize the difference. The client sends an order for an item and gets it, with no further configuration required from the user.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Centralized security for web servers.


The direction of traffic entering is based on rules you can establish.


The caching function is now available to users.




Although central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy servers. However, reverse proxies offer this benefit only to the server layer and not to the layer of clients. instead of the maintenance of firewalls at the web servers layer, which could contain several servers with various configurations, the bulk in firewall protection is placed on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the burden of dealing with firewalls and interacting with requests from clients without web servers allows them to focus on meeting the requirements of their clients.




If there are multiple servers running as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is also accountable for directing the requests directed to which servers. There could be several web servers offering the same service, but each offering different kinds of resources or a combination of both. They can utilize an HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, but they also can be outfitted with applications server protocols such as FastCGI. There is the possibility to configure a reverse proxy that redirects users to certain servers based on the requested resource, or adhere to specific guidelines for the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also can benefit from their location over web servers, by providing the ability to store information. Massive static resources can be configured with caching rules to avoid from hitting web servers with each request. Certain solutions allow you to deliver static files directly without having to connect to the servers in any manner. Furthermore, reverse proxy is able to handle compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a very popular reverse proxy option. While Apache can also be regarded as a reverse proxy solution however, Apache is a reverse proxy service. Apache web server also has reverse proxy feature as an extra option for Apache and Nginx was initially designed for and focuses specifically on reverse proxy features.



Differentiating the use of forward and reverse proxy Examples



Because "forward" and "reverse" are both associated with an impression of directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic and can be confusing as both types of proxies deal with the process of responding to requests. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the application you're creating.




Reverse proxy is useful in the development of a method to offer web-based services over the internet. They act as your web server when you interact on the web.




Forward proxy can be useful when it is placed in front of customers for personal use, or even in a working environment. Forward proxy is a representation of the traffic of your client when you interact with the internet.




The use of case-based differentiation instead of focussing on the most common naming conventions can help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



The article delineated the definition of a proxy using two main types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Examples of how to use them as well as a discussion of most beneficial features were used to differentiate between reverse and forward proxies. If you're interested to learn more about the advantages of proxy servers, learn how to configure Nginx as an Internet server and reverse proxy for Apache in an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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