A proxy is also known as an application called a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between a client and server on the internet. Without proxy servers, a user could send a request to servers directly and servers would provide requests directly for the resource requested by the client. It is an easy procedure to understand and utilize, proxy servers can result in benefits like enhanced performance as well as privacy, security and many more. As an additional pass-through layer proxy servers are a way to secure the internet between clients and servers.

In general, the integrated combination of server hardware and installed proxy software is commonly referred as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are usually regarded as software as being used in conjunction with web servers. This article will give an explanation of the two types, namely which are a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each type has a different usage scenario, which is often misunderstood due to the similar namesake convention.

This article will provide an understanding of types of proxy services, what their subtypes, as well as how they are useful for common setups. If you read in this post, you'll be able to recognize situations where it is beneficial to use the proxy service and determine the best option between forward and reverse proxy for any scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy also referred to as the open proxy is the client's representative in making an online request to the server that made it. In this scenario the attempts to make requests by the user will be directed direct to the forward proxy. In this situation, the forward proxy instead of the client will scrutinize the request. It first will determine if this client is able to make requests via this specific forward proxy. Then, it can either deny requests or redirect them to the server it originated from. The client is not allowed an internet connection directly. It is only able to access what forward proxy allows it to connect to.

The most common reason to use forward proxies is to increase privacy or anonymity on internet. Forward proxy makes use of the internet to replace an individual client and during this manner it could make use of an alternative IP address that is different from the original IP address that is used by the client.

Depending on the method by which it's configured the forward proxy will offer a range of features and allow you to:

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  Beware of ads that track you.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Establish restrictions based upon the location.
  
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Forward proxies may also be employed in systems that offer centralized security and access that is based on permissions, such as in workplaces. If all internet traffic is routed through a common front proxy, an administrator can grant only a small number of clients access to the internet via an ordinary firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls at the client layer which can involve many machines with different settings and users, there is a way to set up the firewall configured the front proxy layer.

Be aware that forward proxy servers require manual setup for them to be used while reverse proxies may be ignored by clients. Based on the type of IP address of a user is passed to the original server via forward proxy privacy and security can be granted or kept in the dark.

There are several possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxy options:

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  Apache is an incredibly well-known open source web server, that offers forward proxy features.
  
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  Nginx: Another popular open-source webserver which has forward proxy functions.
  
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  Squid: A free and Open Source Forward Proxy that uses it's HTTP protocol. It does not come with an an entire Web server software. You can read our tutorial on how you can set up Squid proxy to enable private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that uses on the SOCKS protocol in place of HTTP in order to be better suitable for situations such as peer-to-peer communication. You might also wish to know how to build an Dante proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy is an intermediary for the web server, taking care of the incoming requests of clients on behalf. This web server may include one server or several servers. It could also be used as an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations, a request would come from a user via the web at large. In the majority of cases it is transmitted directly to the website server that hosts the information that the client wants. A reverse proxy is a intermediary to isolate Web servers and prevent direct communication with the public internet.

From a consumer's point the client's point of view using reverse proxy isn't anything different than working with a web servers in direct contact. It's basically the same, but clients aren't able distinguish between the two. The client requests the resource and it gets it, with no additional configuration needed from the user.

Reverse proxies provide features like:

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  A central layer of security to protect the server.
  
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  Controlling traffic coming inbound on rules that you can set up.
  
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  New functionality added for caching.
  
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Although central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxies offer this feature to that layer that is on the webserver, and not to the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls at the server level, which could include multiple servers that have various configurations, the majority of firewall security is concentrated upon the reverse proxy. Also, the removal of the responsibility to interact with firewalls and interfacing with requests from clients off of web servers allows firewalls to focus on supplying resources.

In the case of multiple servers in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is responsible for directing which requests go at which server. There may be multiple web servers providing the same content, providing different kinds of services or a mix of both. They could use the HTTP protocol similar to an ordinary web server. However, they can also be able to use application server protocols such as FastCGI. You can configure reverse proxy software to redirect visitors to a particular server based on the service requested, or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their position ahead of web servers, by offering the capability to store data. Massive static resources can be set up with caching rules to avoid having to call web servers for every request. There are some solutions even allowing users to serve static content directly without having to contact the web server for even one time. In addition reverse proxy can deal with compression of these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as an effective reverse proxy service. Although Apache can also be a reverse proxy solution, it is a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server is fitted with an reverse proxy function as an additional feature for Apache in contrast to Nginx was originally designed to and focuses on reverse proxy capabilities.

Differentiating Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Situations

Because "forward" or "reverse" have connotations of directionality and misleading comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic The labels could be confusing as both kinds of proxies deal with both requests as well as responses. The best method to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to study the specifications of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool to use when designing a solution to deliver web-based applications via the internet. They represent your web servers every time you use the web.

A forward proxy is helpful when it is placed before customers for your own usage as well as in an official setting. They represent your client's web traffic during any online interaction.

Separating by use case, instead of using the same names can help in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

This article will explain the significance of a proxy that has two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical scenarios for application and the exploration of attributes that are beneficial were used to determine forward proxies and reverse proxy. If you'd like to explore the use of proxy servers then you should follow our tutorial on how you can configure Nginx as an internet server as well as reverse proxy to Apache in the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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