The word "proxy" is a reference to proxy servers. A proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is a software that functions as mediator between client and server via the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, users could make a request for the server directly, and then the server will provide the requested resource directly to the user. While this is a simple method to understand and implement with proxy servers, it could provide advantages in terms of enhanced performance privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through, a proxy acts as a security guardian of the internet, separating clients from servers.

The combined mix of hardware for servers and proxy software is commonly known as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are typically described as software as well as being used in conjunction with web servers. This article will give a description of the two types: that is a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own unique usage situation, and is frequently not understood due to the identical namesake convention.

This article will provide you with the understanding of what proxies and subtypes can do and how they do in the commonly used configurations. After reading this article, you'll be able to identify the scenarios where the use of proxies is beneficial, and choose the most appropriate option between reverse proxy and forward proxy depending on the situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy also referred to as open proxy. An open proxy is an agent for a user who is trying to send an online request to a source server. In this scenario, the entire attempt to send requests from the client is instead directed via the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting on behalf of the client, will review the request. It will first determine if the client is authorized to make requests via this particular forward proxy. It then decides whether to reject requests or redirect it to the server that originally made the request. The client doesn't have a direct access to the internet. It is able to access only what forward proxy allows it to access.

The most popular reason for using forward proxy is for greater privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy connects to the internet, not the client and, in this process, it uses an IP address distinct from the IP address that the user is using.

Based on how it was set up the forward proxy can provide many functions, based on the configuration and permits you to:

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  Beware of ad-tracker.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions based on your location.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide centralized security and access that is based on permissions, for instance, in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows through an open forward proxy an administrator is able to restrict access to only certain clients to the internet. This is filtered by the common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls at the client layer, which can include multiple machines that have different settings and users the firewall could be installed at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxy servers must be manually set up to be used, while reverse proxies may be ignored in the eyes of the user. Based on the type of IP address a user is transmitted to the server which originated it by forward proxy privacy and anonymity can be granted or hidden.

There are a variety of options to consider when considering forward proxy alternatives:

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  Apache is a well-known open-source web server that offers forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open-source web server with forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Squid is an open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It doesn't come with the full Web server. There is a video tutorial on how to set up Squid proxy to permit private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  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 permit private connections to Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as the agent of a server on the internet that handles requests from clients for. The web server may consist of a single server or even multiple servers. It could also serve for application servers, like Gunicorn. In all cases, the request will come via the internet, generally. Most of the time requests will then be sent direct to a server that hosts the resources that the user is seeking. Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, detaching this webserver from direct interactions with the open internet.

From the viewpoint of a user, the experience of using reverse proxy is no different from interacting with the webserver in direct contact. It's essentially the same but the client cannot discern the distinction. The client makes an order for an item, and then receives it without any additional configuration needed for the customer.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  Security centralized on webservers.
  
  
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  It is the direction in which traffic incoming based on rules that you can establish.
  
  
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  The caching functionality was added to the application.
  
  

Although central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy servers. Reverse proxy services provide this benefit only to the server layer and not the layer of clients. Instead of having to maintain firewalls on the web servers layer which may comprise several servers with various configurations, the bulk of firewall security is centered at the layer of reverse proxy. In addition, the ease of interfacing with firewalls as well as interacting with requests from customers who don't have web servers allows them to concentrate on providing the needs of their customers.

When there's multiple servers running as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is responsible for the direction of which requests are directed to which servers. There could be several web servers that provide the same service, but each providing different types of resources or a combination of both. They can utilize an HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, but they can also be equipped with application server protocols like FastCGI. It is possible to create a reverse proxy to direct users to specific servers according to the requested resource, or adhere to certain rules regarding the load of traffic.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their location on top of web servers by offering the capability to store data. Massive static resources can be configured by using caching rules in order to prevent hitting web servers with every request. Some solutions allowing the delivery of static files directly, without having to connect to a web server in any way. Furthermore reverse proxy has the capability to handle compressing these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server can also function as a very popular reverse proxy solution. Even though Apache can also be regarded as a reverse proxy solution but Apache is a reverse proxy service. Apache web server has a reverse proxy capability as an extra option for Apache and Nginx was originally designed and focused exclusively on its reverse proxy function.

Differentiating Between Forward and Reverse Proxy Examples

Since "forward" and "reverse" are often associated with an impression of directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic and can be confusing because both kinds of proxy servers handle both responses and requests. A better approach to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the app that you're constructing.

A reverse proxy could be useful in the development 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 beneficial when it is put before clients to use for personal purposes, or even in a working environment. Forward proxy is a representation of the traffic of your client when you interact with the internet.

A case-based approach to differentiation instead of focussing on common naming conventions can aid in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

This article clarified the definition of a proxy by comparing the two main types of proxy: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Examples of how to use them and a discussion of most beneficial features were used to distinguish between reverse and forward proxies. If you're interested in exploring the advantages of proxy servers, you can read our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet proxy and reverse proxy for Apache using Ubuntu 20.04. Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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