An proxy is also known as a proxy server is software which acts as a mediator between client and server on the internet. Without a proxy, a client would make a request resources directly to a server, and it would serve the requested resource directly to the user. While this procedure is easy to comprehend and implement using proxies, it can bring benefits in the form of increased performance, privacy, security, and more. As an additional layer of protection proxy, it acts as a security guard to the internet between servers and clients.

It is generally accepted that the bundle of server hardware with installed proxy software is often known as a proxy server. In this post, we'll examine proxy servers which are usually classified as software as well as within the context of web servers. This article will give a detailed breakdown of the two major kinds of proxies: the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Each type has a different use case, often confused because of a similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with an idea of the different types of proxy and what their subtypes, as well as their value in standard setups. Through the article you'll understand how to recognize the situations that a good proxy is beneficial and pick the right solution in between reverse and forward proxy based on the situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

A forward proxy, also known as an open proxy acts as an intermediary between the client who is trying to transmit a request over the internet to an source server. In this scenario, every request sent by the client will be directed direct via the forward proxy. A forward proxy in the client's place, will scrutinize the request. First, it will determine if the client is permitted to receive requests from this specific forward proxy. It will then reject any request, or redirect it to the server that originally received it. The client is not able to have directly access to internet. It is able to access only the web pages that the forward proxy allows it access to.

One of the most common uses for forward proxies is to gain greater privacy or security while using the internet. A forward proxy uses the internet as a client and in this process it can use an alternative IP address to the original IP address of the client.

Based on how it has been configured depending on the way it's configured forward proxy could provide a range of features depending upon the configuration that allow you to:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  You will be able to identify any restrictions based on your geographical location.
  
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Forward proxies are also used in systems that offer central security as well as access to users based on permissions, for instance at a workplace. All internet traffic can pass through an open forward proxy. an administrator is able to limit access to specific clients on the internet that is protected by a standard firewall. In lieu of having firewalls installed on the client layer, which can include multiple devices that have different configurations and users it is possible to set up an firewall that is located in the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

Note to note that settings for forward proxy need to be manually set up to be used, however reverse proxies will be disregarded by the client. Based on the fact that the IP address of a user is sent to the server where it originated via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity could be granted or kept secret.

There are a myriad of alternatives to think about when it comes to forward proxy:

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  Apache is a well-known open-source web server that provides forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Nginx: Another widely used open-source server for web hosting with forward proxy features.
  
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  Squid is an open-source forward proxy which uses an HTTP protocol. It's not the entire web server. Check out our guide on how to install Squid proxy for private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante is a forward-looking proxy, which makes use of the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP to make it more to handle peer-to-peer connections. You may also want to know how to set up Dante proxy for secure connections within Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy functions as the web server, which takes care of the incoming requests of customers on behalf of. The web server can be a single, or a number of servers. It could also be an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations an application request comes from a user via the internet. In most cases the request will be directed directly to the web server, which will provide the information the client wants. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary and isolates your website server from communication with the open internet.

From the perspective of the user's viewpoint, the process of using reverse proxy isn't different from communicating with Web server in direct contact. It's exactly the same, and the client cannot tell the distinction. Client requests the resource, which is followed by its receipt with no additional configurations required for the end user.

Reverse proxies offer options like:

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  A central layer of security that protects the server.
  
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  The direction of traffic coming in is based on the rules you determine.
  
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  New feature added to caching.
  
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While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy, reverse proxies do this feature to only the server layer, but not the client layer. Instead of focusing on the maintenance of firewalls at the layer of web servers which may contain many servers and different configurations, the majority of the firewall security is aimed on the reverse proxy level. Also, the removal of the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and communicating with clients who are far from web servers enables them to focus on serving the needs of their customers.

In the event of multiple servers existing through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing what requests go via which server. There may be several web servers providing the same content, and each offering different kinds of services or a mixture of the two. These servers may be using the HTTP protocol, which is a typical web server, however they could include different protocols for applications servers such as FastCGI. You can also configure reverse proxy settings to direct visitors to specific server depending on the service requested or to comply with specific guidelines on the volume of traffic.

Reverse proxies can also take advantage of their placement on top of web servers by giving them the ability to cache data. Large static assets can be configured with caching policies to avoid hitting web servers on every request. Certain solutions allow you to serve static content directly without having to contact Web servers in any form. In addition reverse proxy solutions can manage compressing these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a popular reverse proxy option. Although there is similar functionality in the Apache web server does have reverse proxy functions as an added feature available to Apache while Nginx was designed originally for and is focused on the reverse proxy feature.

Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Usage Situations

Because "forward" in addition to "reverse" have connotations of directionality and misleading comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic The labels can be confusing because both kinds of proxy servers process requests and responses. In addition, the most effective method to distinguish between the reverse and forward proxy types is to research the specifications of the application you're developing.

A reverse proxy could be helpful when building a solution for serving web applications online. They are your servers whenever you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy is beneficial when they are placed in front of customers to facilitate the purpose of your own use or even in a corporate setting. They represent the traffic of your clients in any interactions via the internet.

The use of case-based differentiation instead of focusing on commonly used naming conventions can help in eliminating confusion.

Conclusion

The article clarified the meaning of aproxy is, and compared it to the two most common kinds that are forward and reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as a review of the attributes that are beneficial were used to identify forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about how proxies are implemented, you can check out our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as a reverse proxy and web server proxy on Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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