An proxy, also known as a proxy server also referred to a proxy server, is a software that functions as mediator between a client and server over the internet. Without the use of a proxy, clients could send a request for resources directly to a server, and it would deliver direct to users who requested the resource. While this process is simple to comprehend and implement with proxies, it can offer benefits in terms of improved performance and privacy, security and much more. As an additional layer of security proxy functions as a security guard for the internet, separating servers and clients.

The general set of server hardware and proxy software is generally referred to as proxy servers. In this article, we will concentrate on proxy servers that are typically classified as software and also within the context of web servers. This article will give a detailed breakdown of the two main types of proxies: the forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each has its own use case, often confused due to the similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with an idea of the what proxy services and their subtypes are and their importance in common setups. After reading this article, you'll know what circumstances in which an effective proxy is beneficial and select the best alternative between reverse and forward proxy based on the situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

A forward proxy also called an open proxy, also known as an open serves as an intermediary for clients who are trying to connect via the internet to a source server. In this case every request sent by the user will be directed directly via forward-proxy. A forward proxy in the client's place, will review the request. First, it will determine if the client is permitted to receive requests from this specific forward proxy. Then, it will deny any request or forward it to the server that originally received it. The client has no connection to any internet. It can access only what forward proxy gives the client access.

A very frequent uses for forward proxies is to improve privacy or security when using the internet. Forward proxy makes use of the internet as a client and in this process, it uses an alternate IP address in addition to the client's original IP address.

Based on how it is configured based on how it is configured forward proxy can provide different features depending upon the configuration that allow users to:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  You will be able to identify any restrictions based upon your geographical place of residence.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide central security and permission-based access, like at an office. Internet traffic can go through a forward proxy that is open, administrators are able to limit access to specific clients on the internet that is protected by an common firewall. As opposed to having firewalls installed for the client layer that can include multiple devices with different configurations and users you can install a firewall located at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

Be aware that forward proxy settings need to be set manually for use however reverse proxies will be not considered in the eyes of the user. Depending on whether the IP address of the user is transmitted to the server where it originated by the forward proxy, privacy and security can be granted or hidden.

There are a variety of choices to be considered for forward proxy:

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  Apache is an well-known open-source web server, which provides forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another widely used open-source server used for web hosting with forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Squid: A free forward proxy which uses an HTTP protocol. It's not the complete web server. Take a look at our guide on how you can install Squid proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that makes use of the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP to make it better suitable for peer-to-peer connections. It is also possible to know how to set up Dante proxy to allow connection to private networks in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy functions as the web server which handles all requests received from customers on its behalf. The web server can be a single, or a number of servers. It may even be an application server, such as Gunicorn. In all of these scenarios, an application request is made through the internet. The majority of the time requests are directed directly to the server along with the information that the user is seeking. However, a reverse proxy functions as an intermediary that isolates your server from interaction with the open internet.

From the point of view of the individual client's point of view, the process of using reverse proxy is similar to using a Web server to communicate in direct contact. It's the same process however the client can't tell the distinction. The client requests an item, and it is followed by its receipt without the need for any additional configurations required for the end-user.

Reverse proxies offer options like:

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  A centralized layer of security that protects the server.
  
  
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  Incoming traffic is directed upon rules that you can decide to define.
  
  
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  New feature added to caching.
  
  

While central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy, reverse proxies do this function to just the layer of web servers but not the client layer. In lieu of focussing on maintenance of firewalls at the web server layer that could contain multiple servers and different configurations, the majority of firewall security is targeted at the reverse proxy layer. Also, the removal of the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls and communicating with requests from clients far from web servers permits them to concentrate on delivering the requirements of their customers.

In the case of multiple servers that are connected via reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is also responsible for directing what requests go through which server. There may be several web servers that provide the same content, each providing different services or a combination of both. These servers can be using the HTTP protocol that is a standard web server, however they could contain different protocols for applications servers such as FastCGI. It is also possible to set up reverse proxy settings to direct users to a specific server based on the service requested or to adhere to specific guidelines on the volume of traffic.

Reverse proxies may also take advantage of their position over web servers, by providing the ability to cache data. Massive static resources can be set up with caching policies to avoid the web server from being hit with every request. Certain solutions allow you to serve static files directly without connecting to the web server in any way. In addition the reverse proxy is able to manage compressing these assets.

The popular Nginx web server also functions as a popular reverse proxy option. Although there is an equivalent feature available within the Apache web server does have a reverse proxy features as an added feature available to Apache while Nginx was designed originally for and is focused on the reverse proxy feature.

Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Cases

Because "forward" along with "reverse" are associated with directionality, as well as misleading comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing since both types of proxies process requests and responses. Better yet, the best method to distinguish between the reverse and forward proxy types is to research the requirements of the app you're creating.

A reverse proxy can be helpful when building an application that can serve applications that are online. They act as your web servers whenever you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when they are placed in front of customers to facilitate your own usage or even in a work setting. They are a representation of your customer's traffic in any interactions on the internet.

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

Conclusion

This article clarified what a proxy is with the two main kinds of proxy: the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a review of the attributes that are beneficial were used to distinguish forward proxies as well as reverse proxies. If you're looking to know more about the implementation of proxy servers You can read our tutorial on how you can configure Nginx as a reverse and web server proxy on Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 Server.

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