It is an proxy, also called a proxy server. It is an application that functions as an intermediary between a client and server on the internet. With no proxy in place, a user can send a request to an entity directly through a server and the server will provide an item directly to the client. While this approach is straightforward to understand and implement with proxies, it can provide advantages in terms of better performance and privacy, security and more. A pass-through layer in addition to proxy, it acts as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.

It is generally accepted that the collection of server hardware along with the software that is installed for proxy servers is often called proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers which are usually described as software, and when referring to web servers. This article will present a detailed breakdown of the two primary types: a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own unique usage situation, however they are often confused because of the identical namesake convention.

This article will give you information about what proxies are and what their subtypes are and how they function in the most common configurations. In this article you will be able to identify the situations in which you can gain from using a proxy and decide on the most appropriate solution between reverse proxy and forward proxy for any situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy, also known in the form of an open proxy serves as an agent for a user who wants to transmit a request over the internet to an origin server. In this situation, it's the scenario that all requests made by the client should be handled by the forward proxy. A forward proxy acting in instead of the customer will review the request. The first step is to determine if the client is permitted to transmit requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either deny requests or redirect it back to the original server. The client does not have direct access to the internet. It is only able to connect to what the forward proxy allows it to connect to.

The most frequent reasons for forward proxy is to gain increased privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy utilizes the internet as the client, and in this manner, it may use an alternative IP address in addition to the initial IP address.

Depending on how it's been configured, based on the way it's configured forward proxy can give you a variety of choices and permit you to:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  You will be able to identify any restrictions based on your geographical location.
  
  

Forward proxies also are used in systems that provide central security and access through authorizations, for instance in a workplace. When all internet traffic goes through a standard forward proxy, an administrator could allow only a handful of clients online access which is filtered by a firewall that is common to all. Instead of keeping firewalls for the client layer which could include multiple computers with various configurations and users, the firewall could be put on the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

Be aware that forward proxy servers need to be manually setup to be used, while reverse proxies may not be noticed to the user. Depending on the type of IP address that the client, it is relayed to the server that originated it via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity could be granted or not noticed.

There are many options to consider when it comes to forward proxy choices

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  Apache An open-source, well-known web server with forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Nginx is another well-known open-source web server that comes with forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Squid is a free forward proxy which uses the HTTP protocol. It doesn't provide a complete Web server. We recommend that you follow our step-by-step guide to set up Squid proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP which allows it to be more appropriate for peer-to-peer traffic. You could also find out how to install the Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy functions as a representative of web servers, which handles incoming requests from clients on behalf of. The web server could be a single server, or multiple servers. It could also function as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any case, the request is received from a client through the internet at large. In the majority of cases the request will be sent directly to the web server with the information the client needs of. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary and isolates it from any direct interaction with the open internet.

From the perspective of a user, interacting with reverse proxy is not any different from connecting to the web server directly. It's exactly the same, and the client is unable to tell the distinction. The client requests an item, it receives it without any additional configuration needed by the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  The web server is secured centrally.
  
  
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  The sending of traffic according to the rules you define.
  
  
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  Additional functionality to cache data.
  
  

Central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxies give this benefit to Web server layers, but not to the client layer. Instead of implementing firewalls on the web server layer which may include multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is centered on that layer called reverse proxy. Additionally to removing the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and coordinating requests from clients away from web servers lets them concentrate on delivering the needs of their clients.

If there are multiple servers running behind a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests pass to which servers. There could be multiple web servers serving the same content, providing various kinds of resources or a combination of the two. They can utilize the HTTP protocol similarly to an ordinary web server, however they may also incorporate application server protocols like FastCGI. There is the possibility to create reverse proxy services to direct clients to specific servers in accordance with the resource requested or to abide by certain rules for traffic load.

Reverse proxies may also profit from their placement prior to web servers, providing caching functionality. Massive static images can be arranged by caching rules, avoiding having to call web servers for every request. Some options allowing you to serve static assets directly without having to connect to the web server at all times. Furthermore, the reverse proxy can manage the compression of these files.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as an extremely popular reverse proxy solution. Even though Apache is also a reverse proxy service however, the Apache web server is also equipped 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.

Differentiating Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Examples

Because "forward" and "reverse" are associated with an impression of directionality and misleading comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic and vice versa, these labels are often confusing since both kinds of proxies respond to requests and other responses. A better approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxies is to examine the specifications of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool to develop a solution to offer web-based services via the internet. They are your web servers whenever you interact using the internet.

Forward proxy software is useful to show clients' personal use, and even in a professional setting. They serve as the proxy for your client for any interaction on the internet.

Separating by use case rather than focussing on the standard naming conventions makes it simpler to prevent confusion.

Conclusion

This article will explain what a proxy is along with the two types, specifically, the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as a brief overview of the benefits were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you're interested in exploring the possibilities of proxy services, then read our guide on how to configure Nginx as an reverse proxy and internet server for Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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