It's a proxy, also called a proxy server. It's a software which acts in the role of an intermediary client and server over the internet. Without the proxy, a customer could make a request for an entity directly through a server and the server would then provide direct access to that resource for the client. While this is a simple method to understand and implement with proxy servers, it could offer advantages in terms of more performance as well as privacy, security and more. As an additional pass-through layer proxy acts as a security guardian for the internet between clients and servers.

The general collection of server hardware along with installed proxy software is frequently referred to as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are typically classified as software and within the context of web servers. This article will present an extensive description of two primary types: a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own unique usage situation, however they are often confused due to the same name-based convention.

This article will provide you with information on what proxies are and what their subtypes are and how they function in common configurations. In this article you will be able to identify the scenarios where you could make use of a proxy and decide on the most appropriate solution between reverse proxy and forward proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy, also known in the form of the open proxy is an agent for a user who would like to transmit a request over the internet to an origin server. In this case, it's the situation that all requests sent by the user would prefer to be handled by the forward proxy. A forward proxy, acting in on behalf of the user will scrutinize the request. It is the first thing to determine whether the client is allowed to make requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then deny the request or forward it to the original server. The client doesn't have direct access to the internet. It is only able to connect to what forward proxy permits the client to access.

The most common uses for forward proxies is to improve privacy or anonymity on internet. Forward proxy utilizes the internet as the client. In this way, it could use an alternative IP address that is different to the client's original IP address.

Depending on how it has been configured and the way it's configured forward proxy could give you a variety of choices and permit you to:

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  Beware of tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  You can identify limitations based on your geographic area.
  
  

Forward proxies also are used in systems that provide central security and access through permissions, such as in workplaces. When all internet traffic goes through a forward proxy, an administrator can permit only a few clients connection to the web, which is then filtered by a common firewall. Instead of putting firewalls in place for the client layer that could include multiple computers with different configurations and users the firewall could be put within the layer that forwards proxy-related traffic.

Take note that forward proxies require manual setup for use while reverse proxies may not be noticed from the customer. Based on the type of IP address that the client, it is relayed to the server that originated it through forward proxy privacy and anonymity may be granted, or left unnoticed.

There are many options to look into when it comes to forward proxy choices

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  Apache A well-known, open-source web server that offers forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Nginx is another well-known open source web server that has the ability to forward-proxy.
  
  
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  Squid is an open source forward proxy that uses an HTTP protocol. It doesn't provide a complete internet server. It is possible to refer to our step-bystep guide for setting up Squid proxy for private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP which allows it to be more appropriate for applications such as peer-to-peer traffic. It's also possible to find out how to install the Dante proxy to connect private connections on Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as a representative for a web server, handling incoming requests from clients on behalf of. This web server may be a single server or multiple servers. Additionally, it can serve in the role of an application server, such as Gunicorn. In both cases, the request is received from a client through the web at large. Most of the time the request will be sent directly to the web server with the information the client needs of. Instead, a reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, and is able to block it from directly interacting with the open internet.

From a client's perspective from a client's perspective, using reverse proxy is not any different from interacting with the website server in direct contact. It's exactly the same, and the client cannot discern the distinction. The client asks for an item, it is then granted access with no additional configuration required on the part of the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  The web server is protected centrally.
  
  
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  The sending of traffic in accordance with rules you decide to define.
  
  
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  Additional functions for caching.
  
  

Central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy services, reverse proxy provides this benefit to Web layer servers, but not to the layer of clients. instead of maintaining firewalls on the layer of web servers that may contain several servers with various configurations, the bulk of firewall security is centered at that layer called reverse proxy. In addition, getting rid of the responsibility of communicating with firewalls and coordinating requests from clients that are not connected to web servers lets them focus solely on serving the needs of their clients.

In the event of multiple servers running in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is also responsible for controlling which requests go to which servers. There could be multiple web servers serving the same content, supplying various kinds of resources or a mixture of the two. They can use the HTTP protocol in the same way as a traditional web server, however they may also include application server protocols like FastCGI. There is the possibility to create reverse proxy servers to redirect clients to specific servers depending on the requested resource, or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their positioning in front of web servers, offering caching capabilities. The large static file can be arranged using caching rules to prevent having to contact web servers on every request. Some solutions allowing users to serve static files directly without contacting the web server for any reason. In addition, the reverse proxy can manage compression of these assets.

The popular Nginx web server is also used as a very popular reverse proxy option. Even though Apache is also a reverse proxy solution however, the Apache web server is also equipped complete with reverse proxy which is an additional function for Apache However, Nginx was originally designed to and focused on the reverse proxy feature.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Examples

Because "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with an impression of directionality and misleading comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic and vice versa, these labels are often confusing since both kinds of proxies handle requests and responses. The best way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy services is to study the requirements of the app you're building.

Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool for the creation of an approach to offer web-based services via the internet. They serve as your web servers whenever you interact using the internet.

Forward proxy apps are useful to show clients' personal use, and even in a professional setting. They act as your client's proxy for any interaction online.

Separating by use case instead of focussing on the commonly used naming conventions can make it easier to prevent confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains the definition of a proxy along with the two types of proxy, namely the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications as well as a brief overview of the most beneficial features were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you're interested in exploring the possibilities of proxies, then take a look at our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an reverse proxy and internet server within Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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