The word "proxy" is a reference to the term "proxy" which refers to proxy also referred to a proxy server a server software that serves as an intermediary between a client and server over the internet. Without proxy servers, users can send a request straight to servers, and the server would provide the resource directly back at the requester's expense. Although this method is easy to comprehend and utilize, the addition of proxies can bring benefits such as enhanced performance and privacy, security and more. In addition to providing a pass-through layer, the proxy serves as a security safeguard for the internet between servers and clients.

In general, the combination of hardware and software for servers coupled with installed proxy software is often referred to as a proxy server. This article will concentrate on the types of proxies that are typically thought to be software, and specifically in relation to web servers. The article will provide a description of two types of proxies, which are forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct usage scenario, which is often misunderstood because of the similar terminology.

This article will provide the knowledge of the types of proxy and the subtypes they are, as well as how they work with a range of configurations. Through this article, you'll be able to recognize the situations where the use of proxies is advantageous, and choose the correct solution between forward proxy and reverse proxy, in any scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

A forward proxy, sometimes called an open proxy, acts as an intermediary to allow a user to make a request via the internet to connect to a source server. In this situation the entire attempt to send requests from the user will instead be made through the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting in place as the customer, is able to look at the request. It will determine if the client is able to accept requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. The client isn't allowed direct access to the internet. It can access only what the forward proxy permits for it access to.

One of the most frequent uses for forward proxies is to gain greater privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy accesses the internet using the user, and in that process it may use an alternative IP address that is different to the client's original IP address.

Based on how it's been configured according to the way it was configured, a forward proxy could offer a range of features and let you:

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  Beware of tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions based on your geolocation.
  
  

Forward proxies also are used in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, like in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy, an administrator can grant access only to a select group of individuals to access the web, and this is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls for the client layer that can be used by a variety of computer systems with different configurations and users and environment, the firewall may be set up at this layer to forward proxy data.

It is essential to note that forward proxies need to be manually configured for use and reverse proxies may go unnoticed by the client. Depending on the type of IP address a client is transmitted to the server where it came from via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity could be granted or not.

There are several options to consider forward proxy options:

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  Apache A well-known, open-source web server, that can provide forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Nginx is another well-known open-source server for web hosting 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 webserver system. You can refer to our step-by-step instructions to set up Squid proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which allows it to be better suited for usage in situations like peer-topeer traffic. You might also want to look into how to setup an Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary between a web server that handles any requests that come in from customers on behalf of the server. The web server could function as a one server, or as a series of servers. Additionally, it can be used as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any event it is possible to send a request from the Internet at large. In most cases the request will be sent directly to the web server and include the information the user wants. Reverse proxy, however, serves as an intermediary shielding the server from direct contact with the internet's open.

From a user's point of perspective, the experience of working with reverse proxy isn't any different than using the server by itself. It's exactly the same but clients aren't able distinguish between the two. Clients can request the resource, and is provided with it, with no additional configuration needed on the part of the client.

Reverse proxy providers can provide options like:

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  Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.
  
  
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  The direction of traffic coming in is according to the rules you establish.
  
  
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  The caching function has been added to the app.
  
  

While centralized security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxies, reverse proxies provide this service for the Web server layer but not to the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls on Web server layers which may include several servers that have different configurations, most of the firewall security is focused at the reverse proxy layer. In addition eliminating the burden of interacting with firewalls and responding to requests from clients outside of web servers allows them to concentrate on the needs of their clients.

If there are multiple servers running through a reverse proxy the reverse proxy also manages which requests go to which server. There may be many web servers offering the identical service, but each providing different types of resource or a combination of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol, which is a standard web server. But, they may also include application server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up reverse proxy servers to redirect users to a particular server based on the service requested or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies also have the ability to benefit from their position prior to web servers by offering the capability to store data. The large static files can be set with caching rules to ensure that they prevent the web server from being hit every time a request is made. Some solutions allowing you to upload static files directly, and without having to connect with the server. Additionally the reverse proxy can handle the compression of these files.

The popular Nginx web server also serves as an effective reverse proxy solution. You can also use the Apache web server as reverse proxy features but it's an additional option to Apache and Nginx was designed originally for and is focused specifically on reverse proxy features.

Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Cases

Because "forward" and "reverse" are associated with directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxy are capable of handling requests as well as responses. A different method of distinguishing between forward and reverse proxies is to examine the requirements of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy could be helpful when creating an infrastructure to support websites on the internet. They act as your web server in all interactions via the internet.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is displayed in front of customers either for your own use or within the corporate setting. They represent the client's information every time you use the internet.

Differentiating by case of use instead of focusing on common names can help in making sure that there is no confusion.

Conclusion

The article clarified the significance of a proxy that has two types: forward proxy and reverse proxy. Examples of practical use along with an examination of useful features were used to define the two kinds of proxy that are reverse and forward. If you're interested to learn more about the benefits of proxies, then we suggest you read our guide on how you can install Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy on Apache using an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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