The phrase "proxy" is a reference to proxy servers. A proxy or proxy server is software that acts as a mediator between client and server over the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, users could send a request to the server directly and the server would deliver direct access to that resource. While this is a simple method to comprehend and implement using proxy servers, it does offer benefits in terms of better performance, privacy, security, and more. As an additional layer of pass-through, a proxy acts as a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.




It is generally accepted that the combined mix of hardware for servers and installed proxy software is commonly known as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxies that are traditionally described as software as well as when referring to web servers. The article will offer an explanation of the two primary kinds: forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind of proxy has its own scenario, which is often misunderstood due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will provide the understanding of what proxies and subtypes can do and how they accomplish in typical configurations. After reading this article, you'll be able identify situations in which using proxies can be advantageous and select the most appropriate option between reverse proxy and forward proxy depending on the situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known as an open proxy is a proxy for users who are looking to transmit an online request to an source server. In this scenario, the entire process of sending requests from the client will instead be sent via an forward proxy. Forward proxy acting in the place of the client will examine the request. It will first determine whether it is legal for the user to submit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then either refuse requests or redirect them to the server that originally made the request. The client is not able to have direct connection to the internet. It is able to access only the information that forward proxy allows it to access.




The most popular reason to utilize forward proxy is the need to increase security or privacy online. The forward proxy is connected to internet, not the client, and in this way, it is using an IP address different from the IP address of the client.




Based on how it has been configured, the forward proxy can provide many functions, based on the configuration, which allows you to:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions that are based on your location.




Forward proxies may also be used in systems that provide security centrally and access based on permissions like in workplaces. If all internet traffic is routed through an open forward proxy an administrator can restrict access to a limited number of users accessing the internet, which is filtered by the common firewall. Instead of creating firewalls for clients, the layer could comprise multiple computers with different settings and users the firewall could be installed at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.




Take note that forward proxies need to be manually configured to use and reverse proxies could be overlooked from the clients. Depending on the type the IP address that the user, it is sent to the server from which it originated by forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or hidden.




There are a variety of options to consider when considering forward proxy choices:




Apache is an incredibly well-known open source web server that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another well-known open source web server that comes with the ability to forward-proxy.


Squid is a forward-proxy open source which uses the HTTP protocol. It isn't part of the full webserver system. We have a tutorial on how you can set up Squid proxy to enable private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it better to handle situations like peer-to-peer communication. You can also understand how to set up Dante proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy is the agent of a server on the internet that handles incoming requests from clients for. The web server can consist of a single server or multiple servers. It can also function in the role of an application server such as Gunicorn. The request will be made via the internet, generally. Most of the time the request will be transmitted directly to the server hosting the information that the user wants. A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary, detaching this webserver from direct connections with the open internet.




From the perspective of a user the experience of working with reverse proxy isn't any distinct from connecting to your webserver directly. It's essentially the same but the client is unable to recognize the difference. The client sends an inquiry for an item and receives it, with no further configuration required from the user.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Centralized security on webservers.


It is the direction in which traffic that is incoming based on rules that you can establish.


The caching function has been added to the app.




Although central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers. Reverse proxy services provide this benefit only to the server layer and not to the layer of clients. Instead of maintaining firewalls that are on the web server layer which may comprise several servers that have different configurations, the bulk protection of the firewall is placed in the reverse proxy layer. In addition, the ease of interacting with firewalls and interacting with requests from clients who do not have web servers allows them to concentrate on the requirements of their clients.




When there's multiple servers operating within a reverse proxy the reverse proxy is also accountable for directing which requests are directed to which servers. There may be several web servers offering the same service, but providing different types of resources or a combination of both. They may use an HTTP protocol to function as a standard web server, but they may also be equipped with applications server protocols such as FastCGI. It is possible to configure a reverse proxy that redirects users to certain servers based on the request for resource, or adhere to certain rules regarding the amount of traffic.




Reverse proxies also can benefit from their positioning on top of web servers, by providing the capability to store data. Massive static resources can be created using caching rules to prevent the web server from being hit with each request. Certain solutions allow users to upload static files directly, without having to connect to a website server at all. In addition reverse proxy has the capability to compress these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server is also used as a well-known reverse proxy option. Although Apache is also a reverse proxy option but it is not a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server has a reverse proxy feature as an extra option for Apache however Nginx was originally designed and is focused on the reverse proxy feature.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Examples



Because "forward" and "reverse" are often associated with the notion of directionality and false comparisons are made to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic could be confusing since both types of proxy servers handle requests and responses. An alternative approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy is to look at the specifications of the application you're creating.




Reverse proxy is helpful in the design of a system to deliver web-based applications on the internet. They act as your web server when you interact on the web.




Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is put in front of customers to use for personal purposes, or even in a working environment. They represent the client's activity whenever you connect to the internet.




The use case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the most common naming conventions can help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the definition of a proxy using two main types of proxy: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical examples of use and a discussion of most effective features were employed to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy. If you're interested in exploring the advantages for proxy servers read our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as an Internet server and reverse proxy to Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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