A proxy can also be described as proxy server software which serves to act as an intermediary between a client and server on the internet. Without a middleman, a customer would make an inquiry directly to the server and the server would then serve the requested resource directly for the client. While this process is simple to grasp and use using proxies, it can provide benefits like increased performance as well as security and privacy and many more. Apart from offering a security layer proxy servers also serve as a guardian for the internet between clients and servers.




The bundled package of server hardware that includes proxy software is usually referred to as proxy servers. But, this article will focus on proxies traditionally defined as software, but also when referring to web servers. This article will give a synopsis of the two primary types: one being forward proxy and the other being a forward proxy and the other a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a different use, which could be confusing due to the identical namesake convention.




This article will provide readers with the information on the different types of proxy services, their subtypes, and the ways that they can be helpful for the most common setups. In this article, you'll be able to discern the scenarios where you could benefit from a proxy. You can also choose the best option between forward and reverse proxy in any situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy also known as an open proxy, also known as an open, acts as the representative of a customer who wants to forward requests through the internet to the server that initiated it. In this case, it's the situation that all requests received from the client will be forwarded directly to forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting in the place of the client, will look at the request. At first, it will determine whether the client is authorized to send requests through this specific forward proxy. Then, it can either reject requests or redirect it to the server that originated it. The client will not be able to have directly access to internet. it will only be allowed to access details that the forward proxy permits it to connect to.




A popular use for forward proxy is the desire for more privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy can access the internet as a client, and in this manner, it utilizes another IP address in comparison to the IP address of your client.




Based on the way it has been set up, and the configuration, forward proxy may perform a variety of tasks and the capability to:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify restrictions based upon your geolocation.




Forward proxies also are utilized in systems of central security and access based on permissions, such as in workplaces. In the event that all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy an administrator could restrict access to only certain clients to the internet through the common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls for the client layer which could comprise multiple computers that have different configurations and user, a firewall can be installed at the forward proxy layer.




Be aware that forward proxy servers must be manually set up to work and reverse proxies could be ignored by the client. Depending on the kind of IP address the client that is transferred to the server from which it originated via the forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or not.




There are many options to consider forward proxy options:




Apache: A popular open-source webserver that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another renowned open-source webserver with forward proxy capability.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't come with a complete web server application. We have instructions on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP and is more suitable for use cases like peer-topeer communication. You could also find out how to set up Dante proxy to support private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts in the capacity of an agent to a server on the internet and manages incoming requests from clients in its place. The web server could serve as a one server or as a series of servers. Additionally, it can function as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios it is possible to receive a request from a user who is on the internet in general. Most of the time, the request would be sent directly to the web server that holds all the resources that the user is seeks. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary that shields this webserver from direct interaction with the open internet.




From an individual or user's point of view the procedure of using reverse proxy is not much different than working with a web server directly. It's basically the same, but the client is unable to discern the difference. The client sends the request to access a resource, which is then received with no further configuration required from the client.




Reverse proxy proxies can provide some features, including:




Centralized security for the web server layer.


The direction of traffic that is using rules that you set up.


The caching functionality is now available to users.




While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxy providers provide this benefit to Web server layers and not to the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls on Web server layers, which can comprise multiple servers that have different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is focused at the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, removing the obligation of interfacing with a firewall and responding to requests made by clients through web servers enables them to focus on providing resources.




In the case of multiple servers working behind a reverse proxy it is also able to control the way requests are routed to the correct server. There are many web servers providing the exact same service, and each offering various kinds of resources or a mix of both. They may employ the HTTP protocol to function as a web server in the traditional sense, however, they may also use protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can create a reverse proxy to route clients to certain servers based on the requested resource or to follow certain traffic load rules.




Reverse proxies also benefit from their position in front of web servers by virtue of caching. Large static assets can be configured using caching rules in order that they avoid having to connect to web servers every time they need to make a request. There are solutions providing the possibility of serving directly static assets without having to connect to a web server in any way. Additionally, the reverse proxy can be used to handle compression of the assets.




The popular Nginx webserver is a reliable reverse proxy service. While you can use Nginx, Apache web server, it also has reverse proxy, which is an additional feature of Apache in contrast to Nginx was designed initially for and concentrates on the reverse proxy function.



The difference between Forward Proxy and reverse Proxy Use. The difference between Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use



Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with directionality, and false connections to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, the labels can be confusing because both kinds of proxy services are able to handle requests as well as responses. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to consider the needs of the application you're developing.




A reverse proxy is a good option in the development of an application that can serve web applications on the internet. They are your web servers in any interactions online.




Forward proxy applications can be beneficial when employed in front of client traffic for your personal use, or in a workplace setting. They can be used to represent your client's internet traffic, for any interaction on the internet.




A case-based distinction instead of focusing on similar naming conventions will help you avoid confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the meaning of a proxy with the two main types that are the forward and reverse proxy. Practical applications and a look at beneficial characteristics were used in defining forward proxy and reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the implementation of proxy servers, look into our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy for Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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