A proxy or proxy server is a software that acts in the middle between a client and server on the internet. Without the use of a proxy, users could send a request for resources directly the server, and the server would serve direct to the client. Although this method is easy to understand and use, the addition of proxies can provide advantages such as more performance, privacy and security, among others. In addition to being able to pass through, proxies function as a safeguard for the internet, separating servers and clients.

The package of server hardware with the software for proxy installation is commonly referred to as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are usually described in terms of software as well as those that are used to complement web servers. This article will provide a brief overview of the two main kinds of proxy servers, namely the one that is forward and the reverse proxy. Each has its own specific usage, which can be confusing due to the same terminology.

This article will provide you with an understanding of types of proxies and subtypes they are, and their benefits in a range of configurations. Through this article, you'll be aware of how to determine the situations that a proxy can be useful, and choose the most appropriate option for forward or reverse proxy depending on the specific situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy, also referred to by the name of open proxy. An open proxy serves as a representative for a client who attempts to connect online to a source server. In this case, the whole attempt to send requests from the client is instead controlled by the forward proxy. Forward proxy in lieu of the user, will examine the request. It will first verify if the client has been authorized to transmit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then reject an application and send it back to its origin server. The client has no direct connection to the internet. It is able to access only the information that the forward proxy permits the client to connect.

A common use case of forward proxy is increased security or privacy online. Forward proxy connects to internet instead of a client, and in this process it is using an alternative IP address from that of the initial IP address of the client.

Based on how it was configured according to the method of configuration, forward proxy may provide a variety of functions dependent on the way it's configured. This allows you to:

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  Do not be a victim of ad tracking.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Find out the restrictions that apply to your area.
  
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Forward proxies are also utilized in systems of centralized security and permission -based access, like, in workplaces. When all internet traffic is routed through an common forward proxy layer, a administrator can restrict access to a specific set of users to the internet through an common firewall. Instead of having firewalls in place for the client layer which may comprise several devices with various environments and users, there is the possibility to have a firewall at the front proxy layer.

It is essential to note to remember that forward proxy servers need to be set up manually for be utilized, whereas reverse proxy servers are often not noticed by clients. Based on the kind of IP address the client is passed on to the server that created it by forward proxy, privacy and security may be granted or left hidden.

There are a variety of choices to think about for forward proxies:

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  Apache is a well-known open-source web server with forward proxy capability.
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open-source web server that has forward proxy features.
  
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  Squid is an open-source forward proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't come with a complete Web server app. We have instructions on how to set up Squid proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP, making it better for use in situations like peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to understand how to configure the Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy is an agent for a web server that handles the incoming requests of clients on behalf of. The web server could be a single server or multiple servers. In addition, it could serve as an app server, such as Gunicorn. In both cases, the request will come from users on the internet generally. In the majority of cases the request will be transmitted directly to the web server which has all the resources the client requires. However, a reverse proxy works as an intermediary and isolates Web server from direct communication with the open internet.

From a consumer's point perspective, using reverse proxy is not any different from using an internet server direct. It's pretty much the same, and the client cannot discern the distinction. The client asks for this resource and receives it without additional configurations that need to be done by the customer.

Reverse proxies can provide features such as:

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  A centralized layer of security to protect the server.
  
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  Controlling traffic that is inbound on rules that you can set up.
  
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  A new feature to cache is now available.
  
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While centralized security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy, reverse proxies do this feature only to the server layer and not to the layer that clients use. instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers which can comprise multiple servers and different configurations, most security measures for firewalls are targeted towards the reverse proxy layer. In addition, the ease of interacting with a firewall and communicating with clients outside of web servers enables the firewall to concentrate on delivering the needs of their clients.

In the event of several servers running in a reverse proxy it also determines which requests are sent towards which servers. There are many web servers operating within the exact same system, providing different types of resources or a mix of both. These servers use the HTTP protocol like a traditional web server. However, they could also be equipped with other protocols for application servers such as FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to direct the clients towards specific servers based on the kind of resource they are seeking, or to follow certain rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies also have the ability to gain advantages from their positioning ahead of web servers by providing caching functionality. Large static assets are able to be configured with caching rules, so that you do not need to connect with web servers on every request. Certain solutions offer the option to deliver static files directly without touching the web server even once. Additionally, the reverse proxy can manage compression of these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a powerful reverse proxy solution. While it is real it is true that Apache web server is outfitted with a reverse proxy, it can be used in conjunction with Apache but Nginx was designed originally to and is primarily focused on the reverse proxy feature.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Examples

Since "forward" and "reverse" have connotations of directionality and false comparisons to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic. They can be confusing as both types of proxy services process requests and respond. A better approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy is to think about the needs of the application that you're working on.

A reverse proxy is a great option when you're developing a solution to offer web-based services via the internet. They act as your servers in any interactions through the Internet.

Forward proxy applications are beneficial when it is placed in front of the user for personal use and in the professional environment. They are your client's representative whenever you use the internet.

Utilizing case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the common naming conventions can assist you to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

This article defined the definition of a proxy along with two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as an exploration of the benefits were used to distinguish between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested to learn more about the use of proxy servers we recommend you read our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy using Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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