It's proxy, also known as a proxy or proxy server. It is an application that functions to act as an intermediary for a client and server on the internet. In the absence of a proxy server, a user could make a request for the server directly and the server would provide the requested resource directly to the user. While this approach is straightforward to understand and implement with proxy services, it may offer advantages in terms of better performance as well as privacy, security and many more. As an additional pass-through layer proxy, it acts as a security guardian for the internet between clients and servers.




It is generally accepted that the set of server hardware along with the software that is installed for proxy servers is often called proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are typically described as software, and when referring to web servers. This article will provide an extensive description of two primary types: a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own unique usage situation, however they often get confused due to the same name-based convention.




This article will give you information on what proxies are and what their subtypes are and how they operate in the most common configurations. In this article you will be able to identify the circumstances in which you may gain from using a proxy and decide on the most appropriate solution between reverse proxy and forward proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy also known as an open proxy, acts as an intermediary for a customer who wants to make a request via the internet to an origin server. In this case, it's the situation that all requests sent by the client should be sent through this forward proxy. A forward proxy acting in the on behalf of the user will review the request. First, it must determine if the client is allowed to transmit requests through this specific forward proxy. Then it can either reject any request, or send it on to its original server. The client doesn't get direct internet access. It can only reach what forward proxy permits it to connect to.




The most frequent reasons for forward proxy is to increase privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy makes use of the internet as the client. In this manner, it may use an alternative IP address that is different to the client's original IP address.




Depending on how it's been configured, based on the way it's configured, forward proxy may give you a variety of choices and permit you to:




Avoid tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can determine limitations based on your geographic area.




Forward proxies are also utilized in systems that provide central security and allow access through permissions, like in a workplace. When all internet traffic goes through a common forward proxy, a manager could permit only a few clients access to the internet, which is filtered by a firewall that is common to all. Instead of keeping firewalls in place for the client layer that can include multiple machines with various configurations and users, the firewall could be put in the layer that forwards proxy traffic.




Take note that forward proxies require manual setup to use them, while reverse proxy servers might not be detected by the client. Based on the type of IP address a customer is relayed to the server that originated it through the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity may be granted, or not be noticed.




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




Apache A well-known, open-source web server with forward proxy features.


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


Squid is a free forward proxy that uses an HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't provide the complete internet server. It is possible to refer to our step-by-step guide on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more suitable for applications such as peer-to-peer traffic. You could also find out how to install the Dante proxy for private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy acts as a representative for a web server, handling any requests that come in from clients on behalf of. This web server may comprise a singular server or multiple servers. Additionally, it can serve as an application server such as Gunicorn. In either scenario the request is received from a user via the internet at large. Most of the time, the request will go directly to the server with the information the client requires of. Instead, a reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, and separates it from direct interaction with the open internet.




From the viewpoint of the client, interacting with reverse proxy is not different from connecting to the Web server direct. It's exactly the same, and the client doesn't know the distinction. The client requests an item, it then gets it with no additional configuration needed on the part of the client.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




The server for the web is secure centrally.


Directing traffic according to the rules you decide to determine.


Additional features for caching.




While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxy provides this benefit only to Web layer servers, but not to the client layer. instead of having firewalls at the layer of web servers, which could contain multiple servers with various configurations, the majority of firewall security lies on the layer of reverse proxy. In addition to removing the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and communicating with requests from clients that are not connected to web servers allows them to concentrate on delivering the needs of their clients.




In the case of multiple servers running through a reverse proxy,, the reverse proxy is also responsible for controlling which requests go to which servers. Multiple web servers might be serving the same content, providing various kinds of resources or a mixture of both. They can use the HTTP protocol in the same way as a traditional web server but they could include other protocols for application servers such as FastCGI. There is the possibility to set up reverse proxy services that redirects clients to particular servers depending on the resource requested or to abide by certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies may also profit from their placement prior to web servers, providing caching functions. Massive static images can be set up using caching rules to prevent needing to connect with web servers every time you request. There are even options allowing you to directly serve static content without contacting the web server for any reason. Additionally, reverse proxy can manage compression of these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server functions as an extremely popular reverse proxy option. While Apache is also a reverse proxy solution, the Apache web server also comes with a reverse proxy, which adds a feature to Apache but Nginx was initially designed for and is focused exclusively on reverse proxy feature.



Differentiating Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Examples



Because "forward" as well as "reverse" are both associated with the perception of directionality, and are misinterpreted as comparing "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic and vice versa, these labels are often confusing because both types of proxies process requests and responses. Instead, a better way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the app that you are building.




Reverse proxy is a useful tool to develop an option to provide web-based services on the internet. They are your web servers whenever you interact using the internet.




Forward proxy apps are useful for displaying clients for personal use, and even in a professional setting. They are your client's proxy for all interactions online.




The practice of segregating by use case, instead of focusing on standard naming conventions makes it simpler for people to stay clear of confusion.



Conclusion



This article explains what a proxy is, along with the two types of proxy, namely the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a discussion of the beneficial features were utilized to differentiate forward proxies from reverse. If you'd like to explore the possibilities of proxies, then you should read our guide on how to configure Nginx as an reverse proxy and internet server for Apache using the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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