It is an proxy, also called a proxy server, is a software which acts as an intermediary between client and server over the internet. With no proxy in place, a customer can send a request to an entity directly through a server, and the server will provide direct access to that resource for the user. Although this method is simple to comprehend and implement using proxies, it can offer advantages in terms of more performance and privacy, security and more. In addition, a pass-through proxy acts as a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.

It is generally accepted that the set of server hardware and installed proxy software is also commonly called proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are typically described as software, and in the context of web servers. This article will present a detailed breakdown of the two types of proxies: forward proxy and a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own unique usage instance, but they often get misunderstood due to the similar name-based convention.

This article will give you information about what proxies are and what their subtypes are, and how they work in common configurations. In this article you will be able to identify the situations in which you can benefit from a proxy, and choose the best solution from forward proxy and reverse proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy, also known as the open proxy serves as an agent for a user who wants to transmit a request over the internet to an origin server. In this scenario it is the case that all requests made by the user would prefer to be sent through the forward proxy. A forward proxy, acting in place of the client, will scrutinize the request. The first step is to determine whether the client is permitted to send requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either deny requests or redirect it back to the server that originally sent it. The client does not directly connect to the Internet. It only has access to the internet that the forward proxy allows it to connect to.

The most common uses for forward proxies is to increase privacy or anonymity on the internet. A forward proxy uses the internet as the client. In this way, it can make use of an alternative IP address to the client's initial IP address.

Depending on how it has been set up depending on the way it's configured forward proxy could offer a number of options and allow you to:

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  Beware of tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  You can identify restrictions based upon your geographical location.
  
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Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide central security and access through permissions, like in a workplace. When all internet traffic passes through a forward proxy, an administrator could grant only a small number of users online access, which is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of keeping firewalls for the client layer which could include multiple computers that have different configurations and clients, the firewall can be placed within the layer that forwards proxy-related traffic.

Take note that forward proxies need to be manually setup to use them, while reverse proxy servers might not be detected from the customer. Depending on the kind of IP address of the customer, if it is relayed back to the server that originated it through the forward proxy privacy and anonymity may be granted, or left unnoticed.

There are a myriad of options to consider to find forward proxy alternatives

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  Apache An open-source, well-known web server that provides forward proxy functions.
  
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  Nginx is another popular open-source web server with forward proxy features.
  
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  Squid is a free forward proxy which uses the HTTP protocol. It doesn't provide a complete internet server. It is possible to refer to our step-by-step guide on how to set up Squid proxy for private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP which allows it to be more appropriate for applications such as peer-to-peer. It's also possible to find out how to set up the Dante proxy to connect private connections on Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy serves as a representative for a web server that handles the incoming requests of clients on behalf of. This server can include a server or multiple servers. Additionally, it can serve in the role of an application server such as Gunicorn. In any case, the request is received from a user via the internet at large. In most cases, the request will go directly to the server with the information the client requires of. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, and is able to block it from direct interaction with the open internet.

From a client's perspective, interacting with reverse proxy is not any different from connecting to the Web server direct. It's the same thing and the client doesn't know the distinction. The client requests this resource and it receives it without any additional configuration needed from the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  The web server is protected centrally.
  
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  The sending of traffic in accordance with rules you can define.
  
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  Additional features to cache data.
  
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Central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy services, reverse proxy providers provide this benefit to Web server layers, but not to the client layer. Instead of implementing firewalls on the layer of web servers which may include multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is concentrated at the layer of reverse proxy. Furthermore, getting rid of the hassle of dealing with firewalls as well as communicating requests from clients who aren't connected to web servers lets them focus solely on serving resources.

In the case of multiple servers existing behind a reverse proxy the reverse proxy is also accountable to control which requests are routed to which servers. Multiple web servers might be hosting the same resources, providing different types of resources or a mixture of both. They can utilize the HTTP protocol in the same way as a traditional web server, however they may also include application server protocols such as FastCGI. There is the possibility to create a reverse proxy to redirect clients to specific servers in accordance with the resource requested, or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their positioning in front of web servers, providing caching functionality. Large static files can be configured with caching rules to avoid having to contact web servers for every request, with some solutions allowing users to serve static assets directly without touching the web server in any way. In addition, the reverse proxy can handle the compression of these files.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a very popular reverse proxy service. Although Apache can also be a reverse proxy option, the Apache web server also comes with an reverse proxy that is an additional feature for Apache but Nginx was initially designed for and is focused specifically on its reverse proxy feature.

Differentiating Forward Proxy and reverse Proxy Examples

Because "forward" or "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 respond to requests and other responses. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy is a useful tool for the creation of a solution to offer web-based services on the internet. They are your web servers when you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy apps are useful for displaying clients for personal usage, or even in a business environment. They serve as the proxy for your client for all communications on the internet.

Separating by use case instead of using commonly used naming conventions can make it simpler to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains the definition of a proxy along with the two types, specifically, the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as a brief overview of the beneficial features were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you'd like to explore the possibilities of proxies then read our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy in Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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