The term "proxy" refers to a proxy is also known as a proxy server software serves in the role of an intermediary server and client on the internet. In the absence of proxies, a customer could submit a request for a source directly through a server, and the server would then serve the requested resource directly back for the client. While this approach is straightforward to understand and implement but the addition of proxies can bring benefits like improved performance as well as privacy, security and more. As an additional pass-through layer the proxy serves as a gatekeeper of the internet between clients and servers.

In general, the combination of server hardware and installed proxy software is often called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxies which are generally classified as software when referring to web servers. This article will present the full description of two types: forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own unique usage situation, and it is frequently misunderstood because of the identical terms.

This article will provide you with details on what proxy services and their subtypes are, and how they function with a range of configurations. By reading this article, you will be able identify instances where using proxies can be beneficial, and choose the best option between reverse and forward proxy in any given scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy sometimes called the open proxy is a proxy for a user who wishes to send an internet request to the server that originated it. In this scenario the entire process of sending requests from the user is instead sent through the forward proxy. A forward proxy, acting as a substitute for the client will check into the request. Then, it determines whether this client has the right to send requests through this specific forward proxy. Then, it decides to deny any request or forward it to the source server. The client has no direct connection directly to internet. It is able to access only the information that forward proxy allows the client to connect.

A common use of forward proxy is to provide greater privacy or security while using the internet. Forward proxy allows access to the internet on behalf of a client, and in this way it can make use of an alternative IP address to the IP address used by the client.

Depending on how it's been configured depending on how it is configured forward proxy could offer you a variety of features based on how it is configured, which allows you to:

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  Do not be a victim of ad-tracking.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Recognize restrictions based on geographical location.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used for security systems which are centralized as well as access that is permission-based, like at a workplace. If all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy an administrator can grant just a handful of users connection to internet filtered through the common firewall. Instead of setting up security firewalls at the layer of clients that could include a variety of computers with diverse environments and users. A firewall may be positioned on top of the intermediate layer of forward proxy.

It is important to remember that forward proxies must be manually set up for use while reverse proxies will not be detected by the user. Depending on the type the IP address of the user who is transferred to the server from which it originated via forward proxy Privacy and anonymity could be granted or denied.

There are a variety of possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxy services.

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  Apache An open source well-known web server that provides forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Nginx is another widely-used open-source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Squid: A no-cost forward proxy using the HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't include the full web server. You can read our article about the best method to create Squid proxy for private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante is an forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP and HTTP, which makes it better for use instances such as peer-to -peer traffic. You can also check out how to set up Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy acts as a representative of a web server, which handles incoming requests from clients on its behalf. The web server may include a server, or multiple servers. It could also be an application-server like Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios, the request will originate from the web at large. In most cases, your request is transmitted directly to the webserver along with the resources the user seeks. A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary, separating the webserver from direct interaction via the open internet.

From the point of view of a user the experience of using reverse proxy is not different from communicating with an internet server direct. It's functionally the same however the user is unable to see the distinction. The client makes a request for an item and receives it without extra configuration required on the part of the client.

Reverse proxies offer features like:

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  Centralized security to web server.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic that is incoming according to rules you have set.
  
  
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  New caching functionality has been added.
  
  

While centralized security can be an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy servers. However, reverse proxy providers offer this feature only to the layer of the webserver, not the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls at webserver level, that could include multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk in firewall protection is targeted to the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls and responding to requests from clients via web servers allows them to focus solely on the needs of their customers.

If there are multiple servers using a reverse-proxy the reverse proxy is also responsible for the direction of which requests are directed to which servers. Multiple web servers could be running on the same server, each providing various kinds of resources or a mix of the two. They may use the HTTP protocol like a traditional web server, however they may also be able to be equipped with application server protocols like FastCGI. You can create a reverse proxy that directs users to a particular server based on the service you request, or to a set of rules for the traffic load.

Reverse proxies also gain by being placed on top of web servers as they offer caching capabilities. The large static resources can be set up with caching rules to avoid needing to connect with web servers each time you request. Some solutions allowing you to directly serve static files without having to interact with the webserver for even one time. In addition the reverse proxy is able to handle the compression of these files.

The popular Nginx web server is also used as a well-known reverse proxy option. While Apache is a reverse proxy solution, the Apache web server also comes with reverse proxy features however, it's an additional feature that is available to Apache in contrast to Nginx was originally designed to focus on the reverse proxy feature.

Differentiating Forward Proxy and reverse Proxy Use The Case

Since "forward" or "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality and false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, the labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxies handle both requests and replies. The best way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to look at the requirements of the app you're creating.

A reverse proxy is useful in the development of a solution to deliver web-based apps over the internet. They are your web servers for any interaction you make on the internet.

Forward proxy is helpful when placed in front of users for personal use or in a workplace setting. They are a representation of your client's traffic whenever you interact on the internet.

The practice of segregating by use case rather than using only common naming conventions can make sure that you don't get confused.

Conclusion

This article provides the definition of a proxy with the two major types, namely the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical examples of how to use them and an overview of beneficial features was utilized to distinguish forward proxies from reverse proxy. If you're looking to know more about the advantages of proxies, then you can check out our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy in Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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