It's a proxy which is also known as a proxy server. It's software that acts as an intermediary between client and server on the internet. Without the proxy, a client could send a request to an entity directly through a server and the server would then provide direct access to that resource for the user. Although this method is simple to understand and implement with proxies, it can bring advantages in terms more performance and privacy, security and many more. As an additional pass-through layer proxy, it acts as a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.




The general set of server hardware along with installed proxy software is frequently referred to as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxies that are traditionally described as software, and within the context of web servers. This article will give a detailed breakdown of the two types of proxies: forward proxy and a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own specific usage situation, however they often get misunderstood due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will give you details about the types of proxies and what their subtypes are and how they operate in the common configurations. In this article you will be able to identify the circumstances in which you may gain from using a proxy, and select the right solution between forward proxy and reverse proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy, also known in the form of an open proxy is a representative for a client who wishes to transmit a request over the internet to an origin server. In this case, it's the situation that all requests sent by the client should be directed via this forward proxy. A forward proxy acting in the on behalf of the user, will review the request. First, it must determine if the client is allowed to transmit requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either deny the request or forward it to the server originally. The client doesn't have direct access to the internet. It is only able to connect to what the forward proxy allows it to connect to.




A very frequent uses for forward proxies is to increase privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy uses the internet as the client. In this manner, it may make use of an alternative IP address to the client's original IP address.




Based on the way it has been configured and how it is configured forward proxy can provide you with a range of options. It will allow you to:




Avoid tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can determine restrictions based on your geographical location.




Forward proxies also are used in systems that offer central security and access through authorizations, for instance in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows through a common forward proxy, an administrator could permit only a few clients online access, which is filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of putting firewalls in place to protect the client layer, which can include multiple machines that have different configurations and clients, the firewall could be put in the layer that forwards proxy-related traffic.




Note that forward proxies require manual setup for use while reverse proxies could go unnoticed to the user. Based on the type of IP address that a customer is relayed to the server from which it originated through forward proxy, privacy and security can be granted, or not be noticed.




There are a myriad of options to consider when it comes to forward proxy choices




Apache A well-known, open-source web server that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx is another popular open-source web server with the ability to forward-proxy.


Squid is an open source forward proxy that utilizes an HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't provide the complete Web server. We recommend that you follow our step-bystep guide for setting up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP which makes it more suitable for applications such as peer-to-peer. You could also find out how to install a Dante proxy for private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy acts as a representative of a web server, handling any requests that come in from clients for. This server can comprise a singular server or multiple servers. It could also function for application servers such as Gunicorn. In both cases, the request will come in from a client through the web in general. Most of the time the request will go directly to the web server, containing the information that the client requires of. Instead, a reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, and isolates it from any direct interactions with the internet's open.




From the viewpoint of the client the experience of interacting with reverse proxy isn't different from interacting with the web server directly. It's the same thing and the client is unable to tell the difference. The client makes a request for the resource, and receives it with no additional configuration needed on the part of the client.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




The web server is secured centrally.


The sending of traffic according to the rules you decide to decide to define.


Additional functions to cache data.




Central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxy provides this benefit to Web server layers but not to the layer of clients. instead of having firewalls at the layer of web servers, which could contain multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is concentrated at the layer of reverse proxy. In addition, getting rid of the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and coordinating requests from clients that are not connected to web servers allows them to concentrate solely on providing the needs of their clients.




In the event of multiple servers that are 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, offering different kinds of resources, or a mix of both. They can utilize the HTTP protocol in the same way as traditional web servers, however they may also incorporate application server protocols like FastCGI. It is possible to create reverse proxy services that redirects clients to particular servers based on the resource requested or to abide by specific rules regarding traffic load.




Reverse proxies can also benefit from their placement in front of web servers, providing caching functionality. Massive static images can be set up with caching rules to avoid having to call web servers every time you request. There are even solutions allowing users to serve static files directly without having to connect to the web server in any way. Additionally, reverse proxy is able to handle compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a very popular reverse proxy service. Even though Apache can also be a reverse proxy solution it is not the only reverse proxy solution. Apache web server comes complete with reverse proxy that is an additional function for Apache However, Nginx was initially developed for and focuses specifically on its reverse proxy feature.



Distinguishing Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Examples



Because "forward" or "reverse" are both associated with an impression of directionality and can lead to misleading comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic These labels could be confusing because both types of proxy handle requests and responses. The best way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to look at the requirements of the application that you are building.




Reverse proxy is an important tool for the creation of an option to provide web-based internet-based services. They serve as your web servers every time you use the internet.




Forward proxy software is useful to display clients for personal usage, or even in a professional setting. They are your client's proxy for any interaction online.




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



Conclusion



This article describes what a proxy is, along with the two types of proxy, specifically, the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a review of the most beneficial features were used to differentiate between forward proxies from reverse proxies. If you'd like to discover the possibilities of proxies, then you should read our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy in Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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