The word "proxy" is a reference to the fact that a proxy or proxy server. It is an application which functions as mediator between a client and server over the internet. Without the use of proxy servers, users could send a request to the server directly and the server would provide the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to understand and apply using proxies, it can provide advantages in terms of improved performance and privacy, security and much more. As an additional layer of passing through, proxies serve as a security guardian for the internet between clients and servers.




The combined mixture of the server's hardware and proxy software is generally called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxies which are usually described as software, as well as being used in conjunction with web servers. The article will offer a description of two main types: that is a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind of proxy has its own scenario, which is often not understood due to the identical namesake convention.




This article will give you the understanding of what subtypes and proxies can do and how they can perform in the most commonly used configurations. After reading this article, you'll be able to identify the instances where using proxies can be beneficial, and choose the best option between reverse proxy and forward proxy depending on the situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known by the name of an open proxy is a proxy for users who are seeking to make an online request to a server. In this instance, the entire effort to send requests made by the client is routed by an forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting on behalf of the client, will scrutinize the request. It will first determine if clients are authorized to submit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then refuse requests or redirect it to the server that originally made the request. The client does not have direct access to the internet. It has access to only the information that forward proxy allows it to connect to.




The most common reason for using forward proxy is to increase security or privacy online. Forward proxy connects to the internet, not the client, and in this manner, it utilizes an IP address that is different from the original IP address used by the user.




Based on the way it was set up the forward proxy will offer a variety of functions depending on how it is configured, which lets you:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions that are based on the location you are in.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide security centrally and access based on user permissions, for instance, in workplaces. If all internet traffic is routed through an open forward proxy the administrator can limit access only to a select group of clients to the internet, which is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of setting up firewalls at the client layer, which can include multiple devices with different settings and users, the firewall could be installed at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.




It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxies must be manually set up to use and reverse proxies may be ignored by the client. Based on the type of IP address of the user's IP address, the server which originated it by forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or kept in the dark.




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




Apache is an well-known open-source web server, which provides forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx: Another well-known open-source web server that has forward proxy features.


Squid is an open source forward proxy that utilizes an HTTP protocol. It isn't part of the full Web server. There is a video tutorial on how to install Squid proxy to permit private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You can also learn how to configure Dante proxy to permit private connections to Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as an agent for a web server that manages requests from users on behalf of. The web server can be a single server or multiple servers. It can also function in the role of an application server such as Gunicorn. The request will be sent via the internet in general. In the majority of cases, your request is sent straight to the webserver that hosts the resources that the user wants. Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, detaching this webserver from direct connections with the open internet.




From the point of view of a user, the experience of working with reverse proxy is no distinct from connecting to your website server directly. It's basically the same however the client cannot discern the distinction. The client sends an inquiry for an item and gets it, with no further configuration required for the customer.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Centralized security on webservers.


The direction of traffic coming in is determined by rules you set up.


The caching functionality is now available to users.




Although central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy servers. However, reverse proxies offer this benefit to only the server layer, and not to the layer that clients use. Instead of maintaining firewalls that are on the layer of web servers which may comprise several servers with various configurations, the bulk in firewall protection is concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and responding to requests from clients who do not have web servers allows them to concentrate on providing the needs of their customers.




When there's multiple servers running as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for the direction of the requests directed to which servers. There may be several web servers that provide the identical service, however each providing different types of resources or a mixture of both. They may use their HTTP protocol to function as a standard web server, but they also can be outfitted with application server protocols like FastCGI. It is possible to set up reverse proxy servers to direct users to specific servers according to the requested resource, or to conform to specific guidelines for the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also can benefit from their positioning on top of web servers, as they have the capability to store information. Large static assets can be set up using caching rules to prevent hitting web servers with every request. Some solutions allowing users to upload static files directly, without having to connect to the website server at all. In addition, reverse proxy is able to compress these files.




The popular Nginx web server is also used as a very popular reverse proxy solution. Although Apache is also a reverse proxy service however, Apache is a reverse proxy service. Apache web server also has reverse proxy feature as an additional option to Apache however Nginx was initially designed for and focused specifically on reverse proxy features.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Examples



Because "forward" and "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic could be confusing as both types of proxies handle requests and responses. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to consider the requirements of the app that you're constructing.




Reverse proxy is beneficial in the creation of a method to offer web-based applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers whenever you use the web.




Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is put before clients to use for personal purposes, or in a work setting. Forward proxy is a representation of the client's activity whenever you connect to the internet.




The use of case-based distinction rather than focusing on the most common naming conventions can help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



This article clarified the definition of a proxy by comparing the two primary types of proxy: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Examples of practical use as well as a discussion of most beneficial features were used to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy. If you're interested to learn more about the use in proxy server, you can read our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an Internet server and reverse proxy for Apache using the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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