The term "proxy" refers to a proxy is also known as a proxy server is software which acts as an intermediary for client and server over the internet. Without proxy servers, a user could send a request for resources directly to a server and it would serve the resource directly for the client. While this is a simple method to comprehend and implement, however, adding proxy servers can offer benefits such as increased efficiency, privacy, security, and more. As an additional layer of pass-through, the proxy serves as a guardian to the internet, separating clients from servers.

In general, the bundled system of server hardware coupled with the software for proxy installation is frequently described as proxy servers. This article will discuss proxy servers that are typically classified as software, and specifically in relation to web servers. The article will provide a detailed discussion of the two main kinds of proxies. One being a forward proxy and the other a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own specific application and is often confused because of the similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with an understanding of different subtypes and proxies in terms of their benefits for setups that are common. After reading this article, you'll be able understand the situations when the use of proxies is beneficial, and you can then select the best choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy based on the situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy, also referred to as the open proxy acts as the representative of a user who would like to forward a request via the internet to the server that made it. In this scenario every attempt to send requests from the client will instead be routed to the forward proxy. The forward proxy, instead of the client will review the request. The first step is to find out if the client is authorized to accept requests from this particular forward proxy. It will then reject any request, or send it to the server that originated it. The client doesn't have a an internet connection directly; it can only reach what the forward proxy allows it to access.

The most common reason for using forward proxy servers is the increased privacy or anonymity when surfing the web. A forward proxy accesses the internet as clients and, in this manner it may use an IP address different from the IP of the client.

Based on the way it's set up, the forward proxy can provide a variety of functions as well as the ability to:

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  Beware of Ad-trackers.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions that are based on your area.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide centralized security as well as access based on permissions, such as at work. All internet traffic can pass through a forward proxy and administrators are in a position to grant only specific clients access to the internet using a common firewall. Instead of having firewalls installed to protect the client layer which could include multiple machines with different settings, users and environments, a firewall can be put in an forward proxy layer.

It is important to remember the forward proxy configurations must be manually set up to permit the forward proxy to function for use in reverse proxies, whereas forward proxies are able to not be detected by users. Based on whether or not an IP address belonging to a user is passed on to the origin server via forward proxy, privacy and security may be granted or kept in the dark.

There are many alternatives to take into consideration when considering forward proxy alternatives:

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  Apache A well-known open source web server that has forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another renowned open-source web hosting server with forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Squid: A no-cost forward proxy that uses an HTTP protocol. It's not the entire Web Server System. You can refer to our guide on the best way to configure Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward proxy that makes use of the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP and HTTP, making it better suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to learn how to set up Dante proxy for connection to private networks in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy functions as an intermediary to a web server, and is able to handle requests from customers on behalf of. The web server can serve as a single server or a number of servers. In addition, it could serve as an application server such as Gunicorn. In all cases, an application request comes from a user via the internet at large. Most of the time, the request will directly go to the web server that hosts the information that the user is looking for. A reverse proxy serves as a middleman to protect your website server from communication to the open internet.

From a consumer's point view, interacting with reverse proxy isn't any different than interacting with Web server in direct contact. It is functionally identical, but the user cannot tell the difference. Client requests an item and is given it, without requiring any additional configuration by the client.

Reverse proxy providers provide features like:

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  The web server is secured centrally.
  
  
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  Sending traffic to be directed in accordance with the rules you have set.
  
  
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  A new feature for caching has been added.
  
  

While centralized security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy, reverse proxy applications apply this function only for the web server layer, but not to the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls for Web server layers that may contain multiple servers with various configurations, the majority in firewall protection is directed towards the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the responsibility of connecting to firewalls and interfacing with clients' requests off of web servers allows them to focus on serving resources.

In the case of multiple servers with a reverse-proxy in place, the reverse proxy is also accountable for deciding which requests are routed to the server. There could be multiple web servers operating from the same host, all serving various kinds of resources, or a combination of the two. They could be using the HTTP protocol similar to a conventional web server. They could also incorporate protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can also set up reverse proxy servers to direct clients to specific servers in accordance with the service being requested, or to observe certain guidelines regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies are also able to make use of their location over web servers through the capability of caching. Massive static resources can be set up with caching rules in order to avoid getting into web servers for every request, with some solutions even allowing you to provide static files without having to connect directly to the website server. Furthermore, the reverse proxy is able to handle the compression of these assets.

The popular Nginx web server has become a wildly popular reverse proxy option. Although the Apache web server is also available with a reverse proxy option as an added feature which is accessible for Apache whereas Nginx was originally designed to and focused on reverse proxy functions.

Differentiating Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Situations

Because "forward" along with "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and also inaccurate comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic. These labels can be confusing, since both types of proxy servers can be used to respond to requests and responses. Another method of separating between reverse and forward proxy servers is to look at the specifications of the software you're creating.

Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool when you are designing a solution to host websites on the internet. They represent your web servers during any interaction through the Internet.

A forward proxy is useful to have in front clients to use for personal purposes or in a professional setting. They are a representation of your traffic whenever you connect to the internet.

A distinction based on usage rather than using the standard names can help in getting rid of confusion.

Conclusion

The article clarified what a proxy was as well as two types of them: the reverse proxy and forward proxy. Examples of how to use them as well as a discussion of most useful features were used to differentiate forward proxies from reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning the ways to use proxies, we recommend you read our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy using Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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