The term "proxy" refers to proxy servers. A proxy or proxy server. It is a software that acts as a mediator between a client and server on the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, a user could send a request to the server directly and the server would deliver the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to understand and apply using proxies, it can provide benefits in terms of better performance and privacy, security and much more. In addition, a passing through, proxies serve as a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.

The combination of server hardware and proxy software is commonly referred to as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxies which are usually described as software as when referring to web servers. The article will offer a description of the two primary types: namely a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind of proxy has its own situation, and is frequently misunderstood due to the similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with the basics of what subtypes and proxies can do and how they perform in the most commonly used configurations. After reading this article, it will be able to determine the instances where the use of proxy servers is advantageous and select the most appropriate option between forward and reverse proxy depending on the situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy, also known as an open proxy is an agent used by users who are looking to transmit an internet request to a server. In this instance, the entire effort to send requests initiated by the client will instead be routed by the forward proxy. Forward proxy acting in the place of the client will examine the request. It will first determine whether the client is authorized to make requests through this specific forward proxy. It then decides whether to refuse requests or redirect it to the original server. The client doesn't have a direct connection to the internet. It has access to only the information that forward proxy allows it to access.

The most common reason to use forward proxy is to increase security or privacy on the internet. A forward proxy links to the internet, not the client, and in this process, it uses an IP address that is distinct from the IP address that the user is using.

Based on how it has been configured, the forward proxy can provide various functions based on how it is configured and allows you to:

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  Beware of ads-trackers.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions that are based on your location.
  
  

Forward proxies may also be used in systems that provide security centrally and access based on user permissions such as in workplaces. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy, an administrator is able to restrict access to only certain clients accessing the internet, which is filtered by the common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls at the client layer, which may include multiple devices that have different settings and users the firewall could be placed at the layer which forwards proxy traffic.

It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxy servers require manual configuration to be used, while reverse proxies may be ignored by the client. Depending on the type IP address of the user, it is sent to the server that originated it through the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity can be granted or hidden.

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

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  Apache is an incredibly well-known open source web server that provides forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Nginx is another well-known open-source web server that comes with forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Squid is an open-source forward proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. It's not part of the complete Web server. There is a video tutorial on how to install Squid proxy to allow 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 suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer connections. You can also understand how to set up Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy is the agent of a server on the internet that manages requests from users for. The web server could be a single server or even multiple servers. It may also act for application servers such as Gunicorn. In all cases, the request will come through the internet generally. In the majority of cases your request is sent directly to the server that hosts the resources that the user is seeking. Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, detaching this webserver from direct connections with the internet's open.

From the point of view of the user, the experience of using reverse proxy is no distinct from connecting to your webserver directly. It's basically the same, but the client cannot be able to discern the difference. The client makes an order for an item and receives it without any extra configuration by the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  Security centralized for web servers.
  
  
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  It is the direction in which traffic that is incoming based on rules that you can set up.
  
  
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  The caching feature was added to the application.
  
  

While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxy services provide this advantage only to the server layer and not to the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls on the web servers layer, which could contain several servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is centered at the layer of reverse proxy. Additionally, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and interacting with requests from clients without web servers lets them concentrate on providing the needs of their clients.

If there are multiple servers operating in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for the direction of the requests directed to which servers. There could be several web servers that provide the same service, but each having different resources or a combination of both. They may use the HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, however they may also be equipped with protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can create reverse proxy services to direct users to specific servers according to the requested resource, or to adhere to certain rules regarding the load of traffic.

Reverse proxies also can benefit from their positioning on top of web servers by offering the ability to store information. Large static assets can be configured with caching rules to avoid the web server from being hit with each request. Some applications allow the delivery of static files without needing to connect to the servers in any manner. Furthermore reverse proxy has the capability to handle compressing these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a well-known reverse proxy option. Even though Apache has a reverse proxy service however, the Apache web server comes with reverse proxy capabilities as an added option for Apache however Nginx was originally designed and focuses specifically on reverse proxy features.

The difference between Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Examples

Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with an impression of directionality, and false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic could be confusing because both kinds of proxy servers handle both responses and requests. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the app you're creating.

Reverse proxy is useful in the development of a system to deliver web-based applications on the internet. They are your web servers when you are on the web.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is placed in front of customers to use for personal purposes, or in a work setting. They represent your client's traffic when you interact with the internet.

The use of case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the most common naming conventions can help in eliminating confusion.

Conclusion

The article delineated the definition of a proxy by comparing the two primary types of proxy: the forward proxy as well as the reverse one. Examples of practical use and a discussion of most useful features were utilized to differentiate between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested to learn more about the benefits of proxy servers, learn how to set up Nginx as an Internet server and reverse proxy for Apache using an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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