The term "proxy" is a reference to a proxy as well as a proxy server, a software that acts to act as an intermediary for a client and server on the internet. Without the need for a proxy, a user could send a request for resources directly to a server then the server could return the requested resource directly for the client. While this approach is straightforward to comprehend and utilize, the addition of proxies can bring benefits like improved performance and privacy, security and more. As a further layer of pass-through, the proxy serves as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.

Generally speaking, the combined equipment of servers with proxy software installed is sometimes referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on proxies typically considered to be software, specifically in relation to web servers. The article will provide an explanation of the two major kinds that are available, including a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct application, and is often confused due to the overlapping terminology.

This article will provide you with the information on the types of proxy and the subtypes they are, as well as how they function with a range of configurations. In this article, you'll be able to determine the circumstances in which it is beneficial to use a proxy and decide on the right choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy sometimes referred to as an open proxy acts as an intermediary for clients trying to send a request over the internet to connect to a source server. In this situation the entire process of sending requests made by the user is transmitted via the forward proxy. Forward proxy that acts in place of the client, will take a look into the request. At the beginning, it will determine if the client can accept requests via this particular forward proxy. It will then deny requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. The client is not capable of having an internet connection directly. It can access only what the forward proxy permits for it access to.

The most common reason for using forward proxies is to gain more privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy is able to access the internet as the client and it may use an alternative IP address to that of the client's original IP address.

Based on the way it has been configured according to the method of configuration forward proxy can offer a range of features and allow you to:

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  Do not click on ads that track you.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions based on the geolocation of your home.
  
  

Forward proxies also are used in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, like in a workplace. If all traffic on the internet flows via an open forward proxy, an administrator can grant access only to specific individuals to access the web. This is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of creating firewalls for the client layer which can be used by several computer systems with different configurations and users and environments, a firewall can be set up at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

It is important to remember that forward proxies must be configured manually and reverse proxies may go unnoticed by the client. Depending on the type IP address of a client is sent to the server from which it was received through the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.

There are a number of options to think about for forward proxy:

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  Apache An open-source, well-known web server that provides forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open source server for hosting websites with the ability to forward-proxy.
  
  
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  Squid is an open source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It's not the entire Web Server System. We have a step-by-step guide to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP this makes it more suitable for use scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You might also want to learn how to configure a Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary between a web server that handles the incoming requests of customers on its behalf. This web server can serve as a one server, or multiple servers. Additionally, it can be used in the role of an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any case, a request would come from the Internet at large. In most cases, the request will go directly to the server and include the information the user wants. However, reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, shielding the web server from direct contact via the web's public.

From the consumer's point perspective, the experience of working with reverse proxy isn't a lot different from working with the server by itself. It's exactly the same thing, however the client isn't able to distinguish between the two. The client can request the resource and is provided with it, without any additional configuration required by the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide options like:

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  Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.
  
  
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  Incoming traffic is directed based upon rules you set.
  
  
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  The caching functionality has been added to the app.
  
  

While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy services, reverse proxy providers this feature to the web server layer but not the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls on Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers with different configurations, most of the firewall security could be directed towards reverse proxy layers. Furthermore eliminating the hassle of dealing with firewalls and interacting with requests from customers outside of web servers permits them to concentrate on the needs of their customers.

If there are multiple servers operating in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests go to which server. There could be multiple web servers providing the exact identical service, but each providing different types of resource or a combination of both. These servers can be using the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. However, they can also include application server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to direct visitors to specific server depending on the service requested or to follow certain rules for traffic load.

Reverse proxies are also able to benefit from their positioning prior to web servers by giving them the ability to cache data. Large static assets can be configured using caching rules, so that they prevent the web server from being hit with every request. Certain software solutions let you offer static files directly without connecting to the web server in any way. Additionally the reverse proxy may manage the compression of these files.

The popular Nginx web server also serves as an efficient reverse proxy option. You can also use Nginx, the Apache web server with a reverse proxy but it's an additional option for Apache however Nginx was designed originally for and specifically designed for reverse proxy features.

Differentiating the use of reverse and forward proxy Cases

Since "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with directionality, as well as false connections with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic the labels could be confusing as both types of proxies can handle requests and responses. A different method of distinguishing between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the specifications of the application you're developing.

A reverse proxy can be helpful when creating a solution to serve web applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers for all interactions on the internet.

Forward proxy is useful when placed in front of customers for your own use or within the corporate setting. It is a way to protect the information of your client every time you use the internet.

Differentiating by case of use instead of focusing on common naming conventions can assist you in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

The article explained the purpose of a proxy having two types: reverse proxy and forward proxy. Examples of practical use and an analysis of beneficial attributes were used to identify the two kinds of proxy that are reverse and forward. If you're looking to know more about the benefits of proxies then we recommend you read our tutorial on how to install Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy in Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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