A proxy, also called a proxy server software, serves to act as a mediator between the server and client over the internet. In the absence of proxies, a user could submit a request for the service directly from a server, and the server would then serve the resource directly back at the requester's. This is a simple method to understand and implement but using proxies provides benefits like improved performance and security, privacy, and much more. As an additional pass-through layer the proxy acts as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.




Generally speaking, the combined 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 specifically in relation to web servers. This article will give the full description of two types: forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type of proxy has its own situation, and it is frequently confused due to the same terminology.




This article will provide you with details on the different types of proxy services, what their subtypes, as well as how they function in various configurations. By reading this article, you'll be able to identify the situations in which using proxies can be advantageous and pick the right solution between reverse and forward proxy for any particular scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy, sometimes referred to as the open proxy is a proxy for a customer who needs to make an internet-based request to an the server that originated it. In this situation, the entire attempt to send requests from the user will instead be made through the forward proxy. A forward proxy acting as a substitute for the client will check into the request. Then, it will determine if this client has the right to send requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it decides to reject any request, or send it to the source server. The client is not able to have direct connection to the internet. It can access only what forward proxy allows it access to.




A popular use for forward proxies is greater privacy or security while using the internet. Forward proxy is able to access the internet instead of a client, and in this way, it could make use of an IP address that is different from the IP address used by the client.




Depending on how it's been configured, based on the way it's configured, forward proxy may provide you with different features based on how it is configured it, allowing you to:




Do not be a victim of ad tracking.


Circumvent surveillance.


Recognize the restrictions based on your place of residence.




Forward proxies are also utilized to secure systems that are centralised as well as access that is permission-based, like at a workplace. If all traffic on the internet passes via an open forward proxy the administrator is able to permit just a handful of users online access through the common firewall. Instead of setting up firewalls on the server layer, that could include a variety of devices that operate in different environments and types of users A firewall can be positioned at this front proxy level.




It is essential to note that forward proxy servers must be manually set up in order to be used and reverse proxies may not be noticed by the user. Depending on the type IP address of the user, they are transferred to the origin server via forward proxy Privacy and anonymity could be granted or not.




There are numerous possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxy services.




Apache A well-known open source web server that provides forward proxy functions.


Nginx: Another popular open-source web server that has the ability to forward-proxy.


Squid: A free forward proxy using an HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't include the full web server. Read our article on the best way to build a Squid proxy to connect privately within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante is forward proxy which utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP and HTTP making it more suitable for applications like peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to learn how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections with Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary for the web server which manages the incoming requests of clients on behalf of. Web servers can comprise servers, or even multiple servers. It could also be an application-server, such as Gunicorn. In either of these scenarios the request will come via the internet at large. In most cases your request is sent directly to a web server with the resources that the user seeks. A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary, isolating this webserver from direct communication via the open internet.




From the perspective of the user, the experience of using reverse proxy isn't different than communicating with an internet server direct. It's basically the same, but the user is unable to discern the difference. The client asks for the resource, and is then provided with it without further configuration needed from the client.




Reverse proxies provide features like:




Security centralized on webservers.


Directing incoming traffic based on rules you set.


New functionality added for caching.




While centralized security can be an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers. However, reverse proxy servers offer this feature only to the layer of the webserver and not to those who are on the client side. Instead of maintaining firewalls in the layer of web servers which might contain many servers and various configurations, the bulk in firewall protection is targeted at the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls and connecting with requests from customers off of web servers enables them to concentrate on the requirements of their clients.




In the event of multiple servers using reverse-proxies, the reverse proxy also handles the direction in which requests are directed towards which servers. There could be multiple web servers operating on the same server, offering different types of resources or a mix of both. They can use the HTTP protocol as a traditional web server, however they may also be able to be equipped with applications server protocols, like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy that directs users to a particular server according to the service you request, or to certain rules regarding the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also gain from their placement on top of web servers, as they provide caching capabilities. Massive static files can be created with caching rules to avoid needing to connect with web servers for each request. Some solutions allowing you to directly serve static files without having to interact with the webserver even once. In addition, the reverse proxy is able to handle compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a well-known reverse proxy service. Even though Apache is a reverse proxy solution, the Apache web server also comes with reverse proxy functions, but it's an additional feature that is available to Apache as opposed to Nginx was designed initially to focus specifically on reverse proxy features.



Differentiating Forward Proxy and reverse Proxy Use



Since "forward" and "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality and misleading comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic the labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxies handle requests and responses. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to take into account the needs of the application you're creating.




A reverse proxy is a useful tool when you are developing a solution that can offer web-based applications on the internet. They are your web servers during any interaction on the web.




Forward proxy can be beneficial when they are put before users for personal use, or in the workplace. They represent your client's activity when you use the internet.




The practice of segregating by use case rather than focusing solely on standard naming conventions can help ensure that you don't get confused.



Conclusion



This article explains the meaning of a proxy using the two primary types, which are the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical examples of use and an overview of advantageous features were utilized to distinguish between reverse and forward proxies. If you're keen to learn more about the benefits of proxies, you can read our guide on how to configure Nginx as a reverse and web server proxy within Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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