The word “proxy” refers to a proxy also referred to a proxy server which is a server application that acts in the role of an intermediary client and a server on the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, users could send a request for resources direct to the server, then the server could return the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to comprehend and utilize, the addition of proxies can bring benefits such as enhanced performance as well as privacy, security and more. As an additional pass-through layer the proxy functions as a security safeguard for the internet between servers and clients.

Generally speaking, the combined combination of hardware and software for servers with installed proxy software is sometimes referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on proxies which are generally thought of as software, and specifically, in relation to web servers. The article will offer an explanation of two types of proxies, which are forward proxy and the other a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own use case, often confused due to the overlapping terminology.

This article will give you the understanding of the different types of proxies, which subtypes they belong to and how they function in a variety of configurations. In this article, you’ll be able to determine the circumstances in which it is beneficial to use a proxy and select the best option between forward proxy and reverse proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

A forward proxy, often called an open proxy is a means of intermediary to allow a user to make a connection via the internet to a source server. In this situation the entire process of sending requests from the user will instead be sent through the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting in place of the client, will examine into the request. It will decide if this client is able to accept requests from this specific forward proxy. It will then deny requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. The client is not allowed direct access to the internet. It is only able to access what the forward proxy allows it to access.

The most common reason for using forward proxies is to gain greater privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy accesses the internet as a client and it could use a different IP address that is different to the client’s initial IP address.

Based on the way it has been configured according to the configuration forward proxy may offer a range of features and allow you to:

  • Avoid tracking ads.
  • Circumvent surveillance.
  • Find restrictions based on your geolocation.

Forward proxies can also be used in systems of centralized security and permission-based access like at a workplace. If all internet traffic flows through an open forward proxy layer an administrator can grant access to only a few people to connect on the internet, which is blocked by a common firewall. Instead of establishing security firewalls at the user layer which could be used by multiple computer systems with different configurations and environments, a firewall could be installed at this layer to forward proxy data.

It is important to remember that forward proxies must be manually configured for use and reverse proxies can go unnoticed by the client. Based on the type of IP address a client is sent to the server from where it came from via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.

There are a number of options to think about for forward proxy possibilities:

  • Apache A well-known, open-source web server that provides forward proxy capabilities.
  • Nginx: Another well-known open-source server for web hosting that has forward proxy capabilities.
  • Squid is an open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It’s not the full Web Server System. We have a step-by-step instructions to install Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  • Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP this is more suitable for use situations such as peer-topeer traffic. It is also possible to learn how to configure the Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary to a web server, handling 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 as an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any case, a request would come through the internet in general. Most often the request would go directly to the web server and include the information the user is looking for. The reverse proxy serves as an intermediary securing the web server from direct communication via the web’s public.

From a user’s point of perception, the experience with reverse proxy isn’t any different than using the server itself. It’s exactly the same but the client can’t discern the difference. The client is able to request the resource, and receive it, with no additional configuration needed from the client.

Reverse proxy providers offer services such as:

  • Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.
  • Traffic coming into your site is routed by rules you have set.
  • The caching function has been added to the app.

While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy services, reverse proxy providers this service for the Web server layer but not the client layer. instead of having to maintain firewalls at Web server layers, which could contain multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security can be concentrated at the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the burden of interacting with firewalls as well as interacting with requests from customers outside of web servers permits them to focus on delivering the needs of their clients.

If there are multiple servers operating as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy manages which requests go to which server. There could be multiple web servers that provide the identical service, but each providing different kinds of resources, or a combination of both. They could use the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. However, they can include other protocols for application servers such as FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to direct users to a specific server based on the service they require or to follow certain guidelines for traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also be able to gain advantage from their position ahead of web servers, giving them the ability to cache data. Large static assets can be set by caching rules so that they avoid 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. In addition the reverse proxy may manage the compression of these files.

The popular Nginx web server can also be a reliable reverse proxy service. You can also use Nginx, the Apache web server as reverse proxy capabilities, it is an additional option for Apache while Nginx was initially designed and specifically designed for reverse proxy features.

Differentiating Forward and Reverse Proxy Use The Case

Since “forward” or “reverse” have associations with directionality, and false connections with “incoming” and “outgoing” traffic, the labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxy are capable of handling requests as well as responses. Another method of separating 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 a solution to serve web applications on the internet. They are your web servers for all interactions on the internet.

Forward proxy is useful when it is placed in front of customers for your personal use or within the corporate setting. It is a way to protect the information of your client every time you use the internet.

The ability to differentiate by the use of case instead of focusing on the common naming conventions can assist you in making sure that there is no confusion.

Conclusion

The article explained the meaning of a proxy that has two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical use cases along with an examination of beneficial characteristics were used to determine the two kinds of proxy that are reverse and forward. If you’re keen to know more about the advantages of proxies, then we recommend that you go through our tutorial on how to set up Nginx for use as a web server and reverse proxy in Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 Server.

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