A proxy, also known as a proxy is also referred to as a proxy server. is software that functions as an intermediary between client and server via the internet. In the absence of a proxy server, a user would send a request for any resource directly to the server and servers would deliver any requested resources directly to the client. While this approach is straightforward to grasp and use however using proxy servers may provide benefits including increased speed, privacy and security, etc. In addition to providing a layer of pass-through proxy servers function as a security guard for the internet between clients and servers.

The general consensus is that the system of servers that are equipped with proxy software is commonly called proxy servers. But, this article will focus on proxy servers that are typically categorized as software, specifically with respect to web servers. This article will provide a brief overview of the two major types of proxies which are forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has a distinct use, which could be confusing because of the identical name convention.

This article will give you an idea of the what proxies and their subtypes, and their value for common setups. Through this article, you'll be able to know the scenarios where you could benefit from a proxy and decide on the appropriate alternative between reverse proxy or forward proxy in any given situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy sometimes called an open proxy acts as an agent for a user who wants to transmit a request through the internet to an source server. In this scenario, every request sent by the client will be directed via an forward proxy. A forward proxy acting in position of the customer will examine the request. It will first determine whether the client is authorized to accept requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it can either refuse any request, or redirect it to the server from which it originated. The client will not be allowed an internet connection directly; it is only capable of accessing the information that forward proxy grants it access to.

One of the most frequent applications for forward proxy servers is to provide greater security or privacy on the internet. A forward proxy is able to access the internet instead of a client's individual account, and in the process, it can use another IP address as opposed to the original IP address of the client.

Depending on how it's set up, and how it is configured forward proxy could provide various options and let you:

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  Beware of tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Find restrictions based on the location.
  
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Forward proxies can also be used in systems to provide central security as well as permission-based access to the internet, for instance at a workplace. In the event that all internet traffic flows through a common forward proxy layer administrators are able to permit only certain users access to the internet. The web is controlled by a standard firewall. Instead of having firewalls on the client layer which may include multiple machines with different configurations and users, a firewall could be placed the front proxy layer.

Be aware that forward proxies should be manually set up to use, while reverse proxy servers could be disregarded from the clients. Depending on the kind of IP address the client, it is transmitted to the server that originated it through the forward proxy, security and privacy can be made more transparent.

There are a myriad of choices to be considered when deciding on forward proxy options:

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  Apache is an well-known open-source web server which provides forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Nginx is another popular open-source webserver which has forward proxy functionality.
  
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  Squid is an open source forward proxy that utilizes an HTTP protocol. This option doesn't include the entire web server. It is possible to refer to our article on the best way to set up Squid proxy to permit private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it appropriate for situations such as peer-to-peer traffic. It is also possible to learn how to setup an Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy is a web server that handles the requests of customers on its behalf. This server can serve as a one server, or multiple servers. It could also include an application servers, like Gunicorn. In any of these instances, a request would come via the web at large. In most cases, the request is sent directly to the server with all the resources the user requires. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, segregating your web server from communication with the internet's public.

From a consumer's point view from a client's perspective, using reverse proxy is not different from connecting directly to an internet server. It's basically the same, but the client isn't able to discern the difference. The client requests the resource, and is then granted access, with no additional configuration needed by the client.

Reverse proxies provide features such as:

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  A centralized layer of security to guard the server.
  
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  Directing incoming traffic based on rules that you set up.
  
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  A new feature for caching is now available.
  
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Central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy solutions, reverse proxies provide this benefit only to the server layer, it is not available to the client layer. Instead of focusing on the maintenance of firewalls at the server level that could contain multiple servers with different configurations, the majority of firewall security could be focused at the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, taking the burden of interacting with firewalls and responding to requests from clients that are not on web servers permits them to focus solely on meeting the requirements of their clients.

In the event of multiple servers being hosted through reverse proxy the reverse proxy is responsible for routing requests to the server that is hosting them. Multiple web servers could be providing the exact same service, or serving various kinds of resources, or a mix of the two. They may utilize an HTTP protocol to function as a normal web server, however they may also include applications server protocols like FastCGI. You can create reverse proxy that routes clients to specific servers according to the requested resource, or to adhere to certain guidelines for traffic volume.

Reverse proxies can also utilize their position prior to web servers, by providing the ability to cache. Large static assets can be set with caching rules that prevent reaching web servers every time you request. There are options that provide the possibility of serving static content directly without having to connect with a webserver. Furthermore, reverse proxy can handle compressing these assets.

The renowned Nginx web server is a wildly popular reverse proxy option. While it is true that it is true that the Apache web server is able to use reverse proxy capabilities, it is an additional feature that is available to Apache However, Nginx was designed originally to and is focused on reverse proxy functionality.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Examples

Because "forward" and "reverse" are both associated with the perception of directionality, they can lead to misleading comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic and can be confusing since both kinds of proxies process requests and responses. The best way to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy servers would be to study the requirements of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy is a crucial element in the creation of a method to run web-based applications via the internet. They function as your servers whenever you connect to the Internet.

Forward proxy can be helpful in displaying customer information to your personal use or even in a workplace. The forward proxy is a representation of the information of the customer every time you interact with them on the internet.

A distinction based on use cases instead of focusing on naming conventions that are similar can help avoid confusion.

Conclusion

This article clarified the meaning of a proxy. There are two types of them being the forward and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and an exploration of the beneficial attributes were utilized to determine forward proxies as well as reverse proxies. If you're interested in the use in proxy server, follow our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as a web service and reverse proxy within Apache using an Ubuntu 20.04 Server.

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