The word “proxy” refers to a proxy as well as a proxy server, a software which acts as an intermediary between client and a server on the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, users would make a request resources directly to a server, then the server could return the requested resource directly at the requester’s expense. While this approach is straightforward to understand and use, adding proxies offers advantages including improved performance and privacy, security and more. In addition to providing a pass-through layer, the proxy functions as a security safeguard for the internet between servers and clients.

Generally speaking, the bundled equipment of servers with the installed proxy software is sometimes referred to as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on the types of proxies that are typically thought to be software, specifically with regard to web servers. The article will offer details of the two major kinds of proxies, which are forward proxy and the reverse. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct application, and is often confused due to the similar terms.

This article will give you the information on what proxies are and which subtypes they belong to and how they work in a variety of configurations. In this article, you’ll be able to identify situations in which a proxy is beneficial, and select the best option between forward and reverse proxy, in any scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy sometimes called an open proxy, serves as an intermediary for clients trying to send a request over the internet to connect to a source server. In this case, the entire process of sending requests made by the user is made via the forward proxy. Forward proxy that acts on behalf of the client, will take a look at the request. It will determine if the client can accept requests from this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the original server. The client isn’t allowed directly access to internet. It has access to only what the forward proxy permits for it access to.

The most common reason for using forward proxy services is to obtain more privacy or security when using the internet. Forward proxy connects to the internet as the client and it could use a different IP address that is different to the initial IP address of the client.

Based on the way it has been configured according to the method of configuration forward proxy can provide a variety of functions and let you:

• Beware of tracking ads.
• Circumvent surveillance.
• Find limitations based on your location.

Forward proxies also are used in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, like in workplaces. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy layer, administrators can allow access to only a few users to the internet, and this is filtered by an common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls on the layer of clients that can be used by a variety of computer systems with different configurations and environment, the firewall can be installed at this layer to forward proxy data.

It is essential to note that forward proxies must be configured manually and reverse proxies could not be noticed by the user. Based on the type of the IP address that a user is transmitted to the server where it was received by the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.

There are many options to consider for forward proxy possibilities:

• Apache A popular open-source, well-known web server that offers forward proxy functions.
• Nginx is another well-known open-source server for web hosting with forward proxy features.
• Squid: An open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It’s not the complete Web Server System. You can refer to our step-by-step instructions to installing Squid proxy to enable private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
• Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more suitable for use situations such as peer-topeer traffic. You may also want to learn how to setup a Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary for a web server that handles any requests that come in from customers on behalf of the server. This web server can serve as a one server, or a number of servers. Additionally, it can serve for application servers, such as Gunicorn. In any event the request will be made from the Internet at large. In most cases the request would go directly to the server and include the information the user is seeking. Reverse proxy, however, acts as an intermediary, securing the web server from direct contact with the internet’s open.

From a user’s point of perception, the experience with reverse proxy isn’t a lot different from working with the server itself. It’s the same, but the client can’t tell the distinction. The client can request the resource and receive it, with no additional configuration required on the part of the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features such as:

• Centralized security for the web server layer.
• The direction of traffic coming in is according to the rules you establish.
• The caching functionality is now available to users.

While centralized security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxies, reverse proxies provide this feature at the layer of web servers but not to the client layer. Instead of maintaining firewalls on Web server layers which may include several servers that have various configurations, the majority of the firewall security could be directed towards the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, removing the hassle of dealing with firewalls as well as interacting with requests from clients that are not on web servers lets them focus on delivering the needs of their customers.

If there are multiple servers running in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing the requests to which server. There may be several web servers offering the same service, each offering different kinds of resources, or a mix of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol as a conventional web server. But, they may also include application server protocols like FastCGI. You can configure reverse proxy settings to send visitors to specific server depending on the service requested or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also be able to benefit from their positioning before web servers, by offering the capability to store information. Massive static resources can be managed with caching rules to ensure that they do not prevent Web servers from being hit with every request. Certain solutions allow you to provide static files directly and without having to connect with the server. Additionally the reverse proxy can be able to handle compression of these assets.

The popular Nginx web server can also be a reliable reverse proxy solution. Although the Apache web server has reverse proxy features but it’s an additional option to Apache however Nginx was originally designed for and specifically designed for reverse proxy features.

The distinction between Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Examples

Because “forward” or “reverse” have connotations of directionality, as well as false connections with “incoming” and “outgoing” traffic, the labels could be confusing because both types of proxies are able to handle both requests and responses. A different method of distinguishing between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the application that you are creating.

A reverse proxy can be beneficial when designing an application to run web applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers for all interactions on the internet.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is displayed before customers for your own use or within an organization. It is a way to protect the information of your client when you interact with them on the internet.

The ability to differentiate by the use of case instead of focusing on the common names can help in avoidance of confusion.

Conclusion

The article clarified the significance of a proxy having two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Examples of practical use as well as an examination of useful features were used to define the two types of proxies which are reverse and forward. If you’re looking to know more about the advantages of proxies then we recommend you read our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy on Apache using an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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