"proxy" refers to a proxy server "proxy" refers to a proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is a software that sits in the middle between client and a server on the internet. Without the proxy, the client could make a request to any service straight to the server and it would deliver the requested resource directly back towards the customer. This is not difficult to understand and implement. using proxies can provide benefits in the form of increased performance, privacy, security and more. As a layer of pass-through, proxy services serve as a security barrier on the internet between servers and clients.




In general, the collection of server hardware along with installed proxy software is also commonly described as proxy servers. But, this article will concentrate on proxy servers that are generally described as software, as well as those that are used to complement web servers. This article will give an explanation of the two major kinds that are available, which include the forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own terminology that could be confusing due to the use of overlapping terms.




This article will give you an idea of the nature of proxies and their subtypes and also their importance in typical setups. After reading this article, you will be able to discern the situations where an effective proxy can be advantageous, and decide on the most appropriate option between forward and reverse proxy for any situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



In other words forward proxy, also known as or an open proxy is an agent of a user who is trying to transmit the request online an server. In this scenario, every request made by the user will be directed by the forward proxy. In this case the forward proxy, acting in the client's stead will review the request. At the beginning it will decide if clients are authorized make requests to this particular forward proxy. It will then either refuse requests or redirect it to its origin server. The client doesn't have a an internet connection directly and has access only to what the forward proxy permits the client to access.




The most popular reason to utilize forward proxies is more privacy or protection online. Forward proxy accesses the internet on behalf of an individual client and in this way, it may use an IP address that is different from the original IP address used by the user.




Depending on the method by which it's configured, a forward proxy can perform a variety of functions as well as the capability of:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You will be able to identify any restrictions based upon your location.




Forward proxies are also utilized in systems that provide central security and permission-based access, for example in the workplace. When all internet traffic goes through an open forward proxy layer, administrators can permit only a few clients connection to internet which is filtered by an common firewall. Instead of putting firewalls in clients, that may be utilized by multiple computers with various configurations and users and environments, a firewall can be added to this forward proxy layer.




Be aware Forward proxy servers must be manually set up before they can be used while reverse proxy servers could be disregarded by clients. Depending on whether your IP address has been transmitted to the origin server by the forward proxy privacy and anonymity can be granted or kept secret.




There are a myriad of options to take into consideration when it comes to forward proxy options.




Apache The Apache is a well-known open-source web server that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another well-known open-source web server with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open source forward proxy that uses an HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't have the full web-based server. Check out our guide on the best way to install Squid proxy to connect private networks for Ubuntu 20.04. Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante forward proxy, which uses using the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer communication. You could also look into how to set up Dante proxy to allow secure connections within Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions in the capacity of an agent on a web server. It takes care of incoming requests by clients on its behalf. This web server can serve as a one server or multiple servers. It can also include an application servers, like Gunicorn. In either case, the request might be made by a user of the internet at large. The request will typically be sent directly to the web server that has the information the user is seeking. Contrarily, a reverse proxy is a intermediary that isolates the server from direct communication with the open internet.




From the viewpoint of the user, working via reverse proxy doesn't differ from interacting via direct connection to an internet server. It's the same thing but the client can't discern the distinction. The client makes a request for the resource, and is then provided with it, without any further configuration required for the customer.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Security centralized on webservers.


The direction of traffic coming in is based upon rules that you can set up.


Additional functions for caching.




Although central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy servers, reverse proxies offer this benefit to the layer on the webserver and not the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls at the server layer which may include multiple servers that have different configurations, the majority of firewall security could be directed at the reverse proxy layer. In addition, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and communicating with requests from clients off web servers allows the firewall to focus on supplying resources.




In the event of multiple servers running through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy can also be responsible for directing which requests go towards which servers. Multiple web servers could be running from the same host, each providing different kinds of services or a combination of both. These servers utilize an HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server. However, they could also be equipped with other protocols for application servers such as FastCGI. It is possible to set up reverse proxy that directs the clients towards specific servers in accordance with the requested resource or to follow certain guidelines regarding the amount of traffic.




Reverse proxies can also be able to make use of their position prior to web servers using caching features. The large static files can be configured with caching policies to avoid hitting web servers with each request, with some solutions that allow you to serve static content directly, without having to connect to a web server in any way. Additionally reverse proxy can be capable of compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as an effective reverse proxy service. While Apache is also a reverse proxy solution and this Apache webserver also has reverse proxy functionality, it can be a second option for Apache however Nginx was designed initially for and concentrates specifically on reverse proxy capabilities.



Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use Situations



Since "forward" or "reverse" are associated with an impression of directionality and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic the names could be confusing as both types of proxies are able to handle requests as well as respond. In addition, the most effective method of separating both forward and reverse proxy is to take into account the needs of the application you're creating.




Reverse proxy is helpful when you are developing an option to host web applications on the internet. They are your web servers in all interactions on the Internet.




A forward proxy is helpful when used in front of clients for personal use, or even in a business setting. They are your client's representative for any interaction on the internet.




The use case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the similar naming conventions will assist you in making sure that there is no confusion.



Conclusion



This article explains what is a "proxy" is with the two major types of proxies being the reverse proxy and forward proxy. Practical scenarios for its use and an exploration of useful features were used to distinguish the two types of proxies: forward and reverse. If you're interested in learning how to make proxies work, look up our guide on how to set up Nginx as reverse and web server proxy to Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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