The word "proxy" is a reference to the fact that a proxy or proxy server is a software that functions as mediator between client and server over the internet. Without the use of proxy servers, users could send a request to the server directly and the server would provide an answer directly for the requester. While this is a simple method to understand and apply using proxy servers, it could provide benefits in terms of better performance, privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through, a proxy acts as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.




In general, the combination of server hardware as well as proxy software is commonly called proxy servers. This article will focus on proxies that are traditionally described as software, as well as being used in conjunction with web servers. The article will provide details of two main types: that is a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind of proxy has its own scenario, which is often confused due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will give you the knowledge of what subtypes and proxies are and what they accomplish in commonly used configurations. After reading this article, it will be able identify scenarios where using proxies can be beneficial, and choose the best choice between forward and reverse proxy depending on the situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known by the name of the open proxy is an agent for the user seeking to make an online request to an source server. In this scenario, the entire effort to send requests made by the client is instead sent through the forward proxy. Forward proxy acting in place of the client will scrutinize the request. It will first determine if clients are authorized to submit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then either refuse requests or redirect it to the original server. The client is not able to have an internet connection directly. It can access only the information that forward proxy allows it to connect to.




The most common reason for using forward proxy is for greater privacy or security online. Forward proxy connects to internet, not the client. In this process, it uses an IP address different from the IP address used by the user.




Based on the way it has been set up the forward proxy can provide many functions, based upon the way it's configured that allows you to:




Beware of ad-tracker.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions that are based on your area.




Forward proxies can also be utilized in systems that offer security centrally and access based on permissions like in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows through an open forward proxy an administrator can restrict access to a limited number of users accessing the internet, which is blocked by the standard firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls for the client layer, which could include multiple devices with different settings and users the firewall could be placed at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.




It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxy servers require manual configuration to use and reverse proxies can be ignored from the clients. Based on the type of IP address of the user, it is sent to the server that originated it through the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity can be granted or kept in the dark.




There are many options to consider when considering forward proxy alternatives:




Apache is a well-known open-source web server, which provides forward proxy functions.


Nginx: Another well-known open source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is a forward-proxy open source that uses the HTTP protocol. It's not part of the complete web server system. We have a tutorial on how to install Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more to handle situations like peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to discover how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as the agent of a web server that manages requests from users for. The web server could comprise a single server, or even multiple servers. It can also function as an application server, for instance Gunicorn. The request will be sent through the internet generally. In most cases, the request will be transmitted direct to a server that hosts the resources that the user is looking for. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, separating this webserver from direct connections with the internet's open.




From the point of view of a user the experience of interacting with reverse proxy isn't any different from interacting with your webserver directly. It's basically the same, but the client is unable to recognize the difference. The client makes a request for an item, and then receives it, with no additional configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Security centralized for web servers.


Direction of the traffic that is incoming based on rules that you set up.


The caching function has been added to the app.




Although central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy servers, reverse proxy services provide this benefit to only the server layer and not to the layer of clients. instead of the maintenance of firewalls that are on the web server layer that may contain multiple servers with different configurations, the majority protection of the firewall is concentrated at the layer of reverse proxy. Furthermore, taking the burden of interfacing with firewalls as well as dealing with requests from clients who do not have web servers lets them concentrate on the requirements of their customers.




When there's multiple servers running in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing the requests directed to which servers. There may be several web servers that provide the identical service, however each having different resources or a combination of both. They may use the HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, but they can also be equipped with application server protocols like FastCGI. There is the possibility to create reverse proxy services to direct users to specific servers according to the requested resource, or to adhere to certain rules regarding the amount of traffic.




Reverse proxies also benefit from their positioning on top of web servers, as they have the ability to cache data. The large static files can be created using caching rules to prevent from hitting web servers with each request. Certain solutions allow the delivery of static files directly, without having to connect to a web server in any way. In addition, reverse proxy is able to handle compressing these assets.




The popular Nginx web server can also function as an extremely popular reverse proxy solution. Although Apache has a reverse proxy solution, Apache is a reverse proxy service. Apache web server has a reverse proxy capability as an added option for Apache however Nginx was initially developed for and is focused exclusively on its reverse proxy function.



Distinguishing the use of forward and reverse proxy Examples



Because "forward" as well as "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality, and false comparisons are made to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic could be confusing because both kinds of proxies deal with the process of responding to requests. An alternative approach to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the specifications of the application you're developing.




Reverse proxy is beneficial in the creation of a method to offer web-based services over the internet. They are your web servers when you are on the internet.




Forward proxy can be useful when it is put before clients to use for personal purposes, or in a work setting. They are a representation of the client's activity whenever you connect to the internet.




A case-based approach to distinction instead of focussing on the most common naming conventions can help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



The article delineated the definition of a proxy using two main types that are forward as well as the reverse one. Examples of how to use them and a discussion of most beneficial features were used to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy. If you're interested to learn more about the benefits of proxy servers, you can follow our guide on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy for Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



If you have any inquiries relating to in which along with how to utilize Proxy Sites (www.hulkshare.com), it is possible to call us with our page.