The word "proxy" refers to the concept of a proxy also referred to a proxy server a server software that acts as an intermediary between client and server on the internet. Without a proxy, a user could send a request for resources directly to a server, and the server would provide the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to understand and use, adding proxies offers advantages including improved performance as well as privacy, security and much more. As a further layer of pass-through, the proxy functions as a security safeguard for the internet between servers and clients.




Generally speaking, the bundled system of server hardware with proxy software installed is often referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on proxies typically considered to be software, and specifically with regard to servers on the internet. The article will provide an explanation of two types of proxies, which are forward proxy and the reverse. reverse proxy. Each type has a different use case, often confused because of the similar terminology.




This article will provide the understanding of what proxies are and what their subtypes are and how they function in a variety of configurations. In this article, you'll learn to recognize the situations where it is beneficial to use a proxy and select the best option between forward and reverse proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy sometimes referred to an open proxy, acts as an intermediary for a client trying to send a request over the internet to an source server. In this situation the entire process of sending requests by the user is instead sent through the forward proxy. This forward proxy acting on behalf as the customer, is able to look into the request. In the beginning, it will decide if this client can accept requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then deny requests or redirect them to the original server. The client isn't able to have directly access to internet. It has access to only what the forward proxy allows for it access to.




One of the most frequent uses for forward proxy is to achieve more privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy is able to access the internet as the client, and in that process it could use a different IP address to that of the initial IP address of the client.




Depending on how it has been set up according to the way it was configured, a forward proxy could provide a variety of functions and permit you to:




Do not click on ads that track you.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions based on the geolocation of your home.




Forward proxies also are used in systems that rely on central security and permission-based access like in a workplace. When all internet traffic passes via an open forward proxy administrators can allow access only to specific individuals to access the web, and this is blocked by a common firewall. Instead of setting up firewalls on the layer of clients, which can be used by a variety of computer systems with different configurations and settings, firewalls can be added to this layer to forward proxy data.




It is essential to note that forward proxy servers must be manually configured for use and reverse proxies can be ignored by the client. Depending on the type of IP address of a client is sent to the server where it was received via the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity could be granted or not.




There are a number of possibilities to look into forward proxy options:




Apache A well-known, open-source web server, that can provide forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another well-known open-source server for web hosting that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid: An open-source forward proxy using the HTTP protocol. It's not the entire web server system. It is possible to refer to our step-by-step guide on how to install Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which allows it to be more appropriate for situations like peer-topeer traffic. You might also want to look into how to set up the Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary for web servers, which handles the incoming requests of customers on its behalf. The web server could function as a one server, or a number of servers. It could also serve for application servers such as Gunicorn. In any case it is possible to send a request from the Internet at large. Most often, the request will go directly to the server, containing the information that the user is seeking. Reverse proxy, however, acts as an intermediary, protecting the web server from direct communication via the web's public.




From a consumer's point of perception, the experience using reverse proxy isn't much different than working with the server by itself. It's exactly the same thing, however the client can't discern the difference. The client is able to make a request for the resource and it is then provided with it, with no further configuration required on the part of the client.




Reverse proxy providers can provide services such as:




Centralized security for the web server layer.


Incoming traffic is directed according to the rules you establish.


The caching feature is now available to users.




While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy services, reverse proxy providers this service for the Web server layer, but not to the client layer. instead of having to maintain firewalls at Web server layers, which could contain multiple servers with different configurations, most of firewall security can be focused at the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the burden of interacting with firewalls as well as interacting with requests from customers outside of web servers allows them to focus on delivering the needs of their clients.




If there are several servers working through a reverse proxy the reverse proxy takes care of directing which requests go to which server. There may be many web servers offering the same service, each offering different types of resource or a combination of both. They could use the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. But, they may also be using application server protocols such as FastCGI. You can configure a reverse proxy to direct users to a particular server based on the service they require, or to follow specific rules regarding traffic load.




Reverse proxies can also be able to benefit from their position prior to web servers by offering the capability to store data. Massive static resources can be set by caching rules so that they prevent Web servers from being hit on every request. Certain software solutions let you upload static files directly, by not connecting with the website server. Furthermore, the reverse proxy could manage the compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx web server is also an efficient reverse proxy option. You can also use it, Apache web server with reverse proxy features as an alternative option for Apache and Nginx was initially designed and is focused specifically on reverse proxy features.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use The Case



Because "forward" or "reverse" have associations with directionality, and false connections with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic, the labels could be confusing because both types of proxies are able to handle both requests and responses. Another method of separating between reverse and forward proxy is to study the requirements of the application you're developing.




A reverse proxy is helpful when creating an infrastructure to support websites on the internet. They act as your web server in all interactions via the internet.




Forward proxy can be beneficial when placed in front of customers either for your own use or within the corporate setting. They represent the client's information every time you use the internet.




Differentiating by case of use instead of focusing solely on standard names can help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



The article explained the meaning of a proxy having two kinds: the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical examples of use as well as an examination of the most useful characteristics were used to determine the two kinds of proxy: forward and reverse. If you're looking to know more about the advantages of proxies, we suggest you read our guide on how you can set up Nginx to function as an Internet server and reverse proxy on Apache running on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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