An proxy or proxy server is software that acts as an intermediary between client and server over the internet. Without the use of a proxy, users will send a request to an item directly the server, and the server would provide direct to the client. While this is a simple method to comprehend and utilize, the addition of proxies can provide advantages, such as increased performance, privacy and security, among others. As an additional layer of being able to pass through, proxies function as a security layer to the internet between servers and clients.

The combined combination of server hardware and the software for proxy installation is usually referred to as proxy servers. But, this article will focus on proxy servers which are generally described as software as and those employed together with web servers. We will present a summary of the two major types of proxies: the one that is forward and a reverse proxy. Each has its own specific usage, which can be confusing due to the same terminology.

This article will provide you with an understanding of types of proxies and subtypes they are, and their utility in a variety of configurations. Through the article you will understand how to identify the scenarios where proxies are useful, and choose the most appropriate option for forward proxy or reverse proxy depending on the circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy also known as an open proxy is a proxy for a user who attempts to send an online request to a server. In this situation the entire attempt to send requests from the client will be controlled by the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting in lieu of the user will review the request. It will first check if the client been authorized to transmit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then reject an request and forward it to the source server. The client does not have direct access directly to internet. It can access only the information that the forward proxy allows the client to connect.

One of the most common uses for forward proxy is increased security or privacy on the internet. A forward proxy is connected to the internet in place of a client and as a result it is using an alternative IP address from that of the initial IP address of the client.

Based on the way it is set up according to the way it was configured, a forward proxy could offer a variety of features depending on how it is set up, allowing users to:

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  Beware of ad-tracker.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Identify restrictions based on your area.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used in systems that use centralized security and -based access, like, in workplaces. When all internet traffic is routed through an common forward proxy layer, the administrator is able to limit access for only a select group of users to the internet by a common firewall. Instead of keeping firewalls in place for the client layer which can comprise a variety of computers with various environments and users, it is possible to set up a firewall located at the forward proxy layer.

It is important to remember the fact that forward proxy servers have to be set up manually for be used, while reverse proxies are often not noticed by clients. Depending on the type of IP address of the client is passed on to the server that originated it by the forward proxy privacy and security is granted or left hidden.

There are a variety of choices to think about for forward proxies

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  Apache: A popular open-source web server offering forward proxy capability.
  
  
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  Nginx is another well-known open-source web server that has forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Squid: An open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It doesn't provide a complete website server software. It is possible to read our guide on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP and is better for use in situations such as peer-to -peer traffic. It is also possible to learn how to setup the Dante proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy is a representative of web servers that handle incoming requests by clients on its behalf. The web server could consist of a single server, or several servers. It could also be an application server, such as Gunicorn. In either scenario the request comes from users on the internet in general. Most of the time, your request is sent directly to the web server, which is equipped with all the resources that the user is requires. In contrast reverse proxy functions as an intermediary that isolates Web servers from direct contact with the internet.

From a consumer's point of the consumer's perspective, working with reverse proxy is not any different from interacting with an internet server direct. It's basically the same, and the client cannot see the difference. The client makes a request for the resource, and is then granted without additional configuration needed to be performed by the customer.

Reverse proxies can provide features such as:

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  A central layer of security to guard the server.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic inbound based on rules that you set up.
  
  
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  A new feature for caching has been added.
  
  

While centralized security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxies, reverse proxies provide this only to the server layer and not to the layer that clients use. instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers that can comprise multiple servers and different configurations, the majority of security for firewalls is focused on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the burden of communicating with firewalls and communicating with requests from customers who aren't connected to web servers permits the firewall to concentrate on addressing the needs of their customers.

In the case of multiple servers running within a reverse proxy, it manages controlling which requests go towards which servers. There are many web servers working within the exact same system and serving different kinds of resources or a mix of both. These servers use the HTTP protocol like a traditional web server. However, they can be equipped with application server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to direct the clients towards specific servers according to the kind of resource they're looking for, or to comply with certain rules for traffic load.

Reverse proxies also have the ability to gain advantage from their position ahead of web servers by providing caching functionality. Large static assets are able to be set up with caching rules, so that you do not need to call web servers for every request. Certain software solutions allow you to deliver static files directly without having to connect to the web server even once. Furthermore reverse proxy is able to handle compression of these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server is also used as a powerful reverse proxy solution. While it is real that the Apache web server is also equipped with a reverse proxy which can be used in conjunction with Apache but Nginx was designed originally for and focuses on reverse proxy capabilities.

Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Examples

Because "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality as well as false comparisons to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic. They could be confusing because both types of proxy services process requests and respond. A better approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy service is to take into account the needs of the application you're creating.

A reverse proxy is useful when you are creating a solution for offering web-based services on the internet. They serve as your servers in any interactions through the Internet.

Forward proxy software is useful when they are put in front of a client for personal use as well as in an office context. They represent your clients whenever you use the internet.

Utilizing case-based differentiation instead of focusing on commonly used naming conventions can help you to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains the definition of a proxy along with two kinds: forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as an exploration of beneficial features were used to distinguish between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the use of proxy servers, you can learn how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy using Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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