The word "proxy" is a reference to a proxy also referred to a proxy server a server software that serves in the role of an intermediary client and a server on the internet. Without the use of proxy servers, users could send a request for resources directly to a server, and the server would provide the resource directly back to the user. While this approach is straightforward to comprehend and utilize, using proxies has benefits including improved performance, privacy, security, and more. As an additional pass-through layer the proxy serves as a security safeguard for the internet between clients and servers.




Generally speaking, the combined combination of hardware and software for servers with the installed proxy software is often referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on proxies which are generally thought of to be software, specifically, in relation with web server. The article will offer details of the two major kinds of proxies, which are 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 the information on the different types of proxies, which subtypes they belong to and how they function with a range of configurations. In this article, you'll be able to determine the circumstances in which a proxy is beneficial, and select the best option between forward and reverse proxy, in any scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy also called an open proxy serves as an intermediary to allow a user to send a request over the internet to connect to a source server. In this case, the entire attempt to send requests made by the user will instead be sent via the forward proxy. This forward proxy acting on behalf of the client, will examine into the request. At the beginning, it will determine if the client can accept requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. The client is not able to have direct access to the internet. It can access only what forward proxy allows the client to connect.




One of the most frequent uses for forward proxies is to gain more privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy accesses the internet as a client and, in doing so, it could use a different IP address that is different to the client's initial IP address.




Depending on how it has been configured in accordance with the way it was configured, a forward proxy could offer a range of features and let you:




Beware of tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions based on your geolocation.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, like at a workplace. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy layer, administrators can allow access only to a select group of individuals to access the web, and this is filtered by an common firewall. Instead of creating firewalls for the client layer which could be used by multiple computers that have different configurations, environment, the firewall can be added to this layer to forward proxy data.




It is essential to note that forward proxies must be configured manually and reverse proxies could be ignored by the client. Depending on the type of IP address a client is sent to the server from which it originated via the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.




There are several options to consider for forward proxy:




Apache A well-known, open-source web server, that can provide forward proxy functions.


Nginx is another well-known open-source server for hosting websites with the ability to forward-proxy.


Squid: An open-source forward proxy based on the HTTP protocol. It's not the full Web Server System. You can refer to our step-by-step guide on how to install Squid proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which allows it to be more suitable for use scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You may also want to look into how to configure an Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary to a web server that handles any requests that come in from customers on behalf of the server. The web server could function as a single server or as a series of servers. Additionally, it can be used for application servers such as Gunicorn. In any case the request will be made via the internet at large. Typically the request would go directly to the server, containing the information that the user is seeking. However, reverse proxy functions as an intermediary, shielding the web server from direct communication via the web's public.




From a consumer's point of perspective, the experience of working using reverse proxy isn't much different than working with the server itself. It's exactly the same but the client can't distinguish between the two. Clients can make a request for the resource and it is provided with it, with no additional configuration needed from the client.




Reverse proxy providers provide features such as:




Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.


Incoming traffic is directed based upon rules you set.


The caching function is now available to users.




While centralized security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxies, reverse proxies provide this feature to the web server layer but not to the client layer. instead of having to maintain firewalls on Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of the firewall security is directed towards reverse proxy layers. Furthermore, removing the hassle of dealing with firewalls and interacting with requests from clients outside of web servers lets them concentrate on the needs of their customers.




If there are multiple servers running as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also takes care of directing which requests go to which server. There could be multiple web servers providing the exact same service, each offering different kinds of resources, or a mixture of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. But, they may include other protocols for application servers like FastCGI. It is possible to configure reverse proxy settings to send users to a specific server based on the service requested or to follow certain guidelines for traffic load.




Reverse proxies can also be able to benefit from their position before web servers, by giving them the ability to cache data. Massive static resources can be managed using caching rules, so that they do not prevent websites from being hit every time a request is made. Certain software solutions let you provide static files directly by not connecting with the website server. In addition the reverse proxy can manage the compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx web server can also be an effective reverse proxy service. Although Nginx, the Apache web server with reverse proxy capabilities but it's an additional option for Apache while Nginx was designed originally for and specifically designed for reverse proxy capabilities.



The distinction between the use of reverse and forward proxy Cases



Because "forward" as well as "reverse" have connotations of directionality, and false connections with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic the labels could be confusing because both types of proxies are able to handle requests and responses. Another method of separating between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the app that you are creating.




Reverse proxy could be useful when building a solution to serve web applications on the internet. They act as your web server for all interactions over the internet.




Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is placed in front of customers for personal use, or in an organization. They represent the client's information every time you use the internet.




Distinguishing by use case instead of focusing on the common names can aid you in making sure that there is no confusion.



Conclusion



The article explained the meaning of a proxy having two types: forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical examples of use and an analysis of useful characteristics were used to determine the two kinds of proxy: forward and reverse. If you're interested to learn more about the benefits of proxies, then we recommend you read our guide on how to install Nginx for use as a web server as well as reverse proxy in Apache running on the Ubuntu 20.04 Server.



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