It is a proxy is sometimes referred to as proxy server software that serves as an intermediary between two parties: a server and a user via the internet. Without the proxy, the client can send a request to a resource directly to a server and the server would then deliver the resource directly back to the client. While this process is simple to understand and implement, however the addition of proxy servers could provide benefits in terms of increased efficiency, privacy, security as well as other benefits. As a further layer of pass-through proxy servers act as a guardian for the internet between clients and servers.

In general the mix of server hardware and proxy software is also often called proxy servers. In this article, we will concentrate on proxies commonly thought to be software, and specifically with regard to web servers. We will also discuss of the two main types of proxies, which are a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each has their own use situation, however they're often misunderstood due to a similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with some understanding about what proxies and subtypes of them are, as well as their use in the common configurations. In this article, you'll understand how to recognize the situations that you can gain from a proxy and then select the most appropriate option between reverse and forward proxy in each situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy also called an open proxy is an agent for a user who is trying to make a request through the internet to an original server. In this case any attempts to send requests made by the client will rather be directed to this forward proxy. In this case this forward proxy, acting instead of the user will review the request. The first step is to check if the client is permitted to submit requests via this particular forward proxy. It then decides whether to reject any request, or send it to the original server. The client has no access to internet in any way; it is only able to access the information the forward proxy allows the client access.

The most common reason to use forward proxy is the need for increased privacy or anonymity online. Forward proxy utilizes an internet connection as a client as such it is using an alternate IP address for your client's IP address.

Depending on how they were installed in the past forward proxy servers could provide a variety of features, allowing you to:

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  Avoid ad tracking.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Find restrictions based on your geolocation.
  
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Forward proxies may also be employed in systems that provide central security and access based on permissions like in workplaces. In the event that all internet traffic flows through an open forward proxy layer, administrators can allow only specific clients access to the internet via an common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls for the client layer, which could involve many machines with varying settings as well as users, firewalls can be added to an forward proxy layer.

Remember that forward proxy settings must be manually setup prior to their use to use them, while reverse proxies are able to not be detected by users. Depending on the type of IP address the user, it is relayed to the server that it came from through the forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or to go unnoticed.

There are numerous options to consider for forward proxy options:

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  Apache The Apache is a popular open-source server with forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open source server for web hosting that has forward proxy features.
  
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  Squid is an open-source forward proxy that makes use of the HTTP protocol. It's not the complete Web Server System. We recommend you to read our guide on how you can create Squid proxy to connect privately using Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante forward proxy, which uses on the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP which makes it more suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer connections. It is also possible to research the steps to install a Dante proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary between the web server and it takes the care of requests coming in from clients on behalf of. This server could function as a one server or multiple servers. In addition, it could be an application-server like Gunicorn. In either of these scenarios, a request would be made by a client via the internet in general. Typically, the request will be sent directly to the webserver that has all the information the user is wants. A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary that shields the webserver from direct contact with the internet.

From the point of view of a user from a client's perspective, using reverse proxy isn't different from communicating with the server on its own. It's basically the same however the client cannot discern the distinction. Client requests a resource and is then provided with it without additional configuration required from the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  The web server is protected centrally.
  
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  The routing of traffic inbound is by rules that you create.
  
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  The caching feature has been added to the app.
  
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While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy systems, reverse proxy providers apply this feature to this web server layer, and not to the client layer. Instead of having firewalls on Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers and various configurations, the bulk of firewall security is concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, getting rid of the hassle of interfacing with firewalls and interacting with client requests outside of web servers allows firewalls to focus on providing the necessary resources.

If there are several servers running in reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also determines the way requests are routed to which server. There are many web servers connected to the same server, offering different kinds of resource or a mixture of the two. These servers utilize the HTTP protocol similar to a traditional web server, but may also include application server protocols such as FastCGI. You can configure reverse proxy to direct users to particular servers based on the type of resource they are looking for or to follow certain guidelines regarding the load of traffic.

Reverse proxies may benefit from their position on top of web servers due to the power of caching. Large static assets can be configured with caching rules to avoid the web server from being hit with every request. Some options allowing users to serve directly static files without having to connect directly to web servers in any way. In addition the reverse proxy is able to be able to compress these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server is also an extremely popular reverse proxy service. It is true that the Apache web server is also equipped with a reverse proxy function, it's a feature available only for Apache however Nginx was initially designed and is specifically designed for reverse proxy functions.

Differentiating Forward and reverse proxy Use Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Utilization

Because "forward" in addition to "reverse" are associated with a sense of directionality as well as misleading distinctions between "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic These labels are prone to confusion because both kinds of proxy respond to requests and receive responses. Better yet, the best method to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy is to analyze the requirements of the app that you're working on.

Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool when you're creating a solution for serving web-based applications over the internet. Reverse proxy servers represent your website every time you use the web.

Forward proxy is a great tool to display clients for personal use, or in a work environment. The forward proxy displays the information of the client when you use the internet.

The practice of separating by use case instead of focussing on similar names will ensure that you won't be confused.

Conclusion

This article will explain what a proxy is with the two main types that are forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical examples of use and a discussion of the most beneficial attributes were used to determine the difference between forward and reverse proxies. If you're looking to explore the possibilities of proxy servers, you must check out our guide on how to configure Nginx as reverse proxy to Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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