"proxy" refers to a proxy server "proxy" refers to a proxy or proxy server. It is software that acts in the middle between client and a server on the internet. Without a proxy, a client would make a request to any service directly to the server and it would then serve the requested resource directly back to the user. It is easy to understand and implement, adding proxies provides advantages that include improved efficiency, privacy, security as well as many other benefits. As a pass-through layer proxy services act as a gatekeeper on the internet between clients and servers.




In general, the set of server hardware and proxy software installed is often referred to as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers which are generally described in terms of software and those that are used in conjunction with web servers. The article will provide a description of the two major kinds, namely the forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own specific usage that could be confusing due to the use of overlapping terms.




This article will provide you with an understanding of what proxies as well as their subtypes are and also their significance in normal configurations. If you read this article, you will be able to discern the situations where an effective proxy is useful, and choose the best option for you between reverse proxy and forward proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Also forward proxy also known as an open proxy is an agent for an individual user trying to transmit an online request to a source server. In this scenario, every attempt to send requests made by the client will rather be sent through an forward proxy. In this scenario the forward proxy acting in the client's stead, will look into the request. At first it will determine if clients are authorized send requests via this particular forward proxy. It will then either reject requests or redirect it to its source server. The client is not able to have an internet connection directly and is only able to access what the forward proxy permits for it to join.




The most popular reason to use forward proxies is to provide more privacy or security online. Forward proxy accesses the internet on behalf of the individual client. And when it does this it could utilize an IP address different from the original IP of the user.




Depending on the method by which it's setup the forward proxy may perform a variety of capabilities, including the capability to:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify limitations based on your location.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems to provide central security, as well as access granted on a permission basis, like at work. If all internet traffic flows through a common forward proxy, the administrator are able to permit only a few clients online access, which is then filtered by a common firewall. Instead of putting firewalls in clients, that may be used by multiple computers with different configurations and users and environments, a firewall can be added to this forward proxy layer.




Remember Forward proxy servers need to be manually setup before they are able to be used while reverse proxies could be disregarded by clients. Based on whether or not an IP address from the user is transferred to the server that is being used by the forward proxy privacy and anonymity can be granted or kept secret.




There are a variety of possibilities to think about for forward proxies.




Apache The Apache is a well-known open source web server which provides forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx: Another renowned open-source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open source forward proxy using the HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer the complete web server system. You can check out our guide on the most efficient way to install Squid proxy for private connections for Ubuntu 20.04. Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante forward proxy, which uses on the SOCKS protocol, instead of HTTP this makes it better to handle situations like peer-to-peer connections. You could also look into how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions to act as an agent of a server that takes care of incoming requests by customers on its behalf. The web server may function as a one server or multiple servers. In addition, it could include an application servers, like Gunicorn. In either of these scenarios the request might originate from a user on the internet at large. Typically, the request will be directly sent to the web server which holds the information that the client is asking for. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, separating the web server from direct communication with the internet's open.




From the viewpoint of the client, interacting with reverse proxy isn't different from interacting directly with an internet server. It's the same thing but the client can't discern the difference. The client makes a request for an item and receives it, with no extra configuration required by the client.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Security centralized on webservers.


Incoming traffic is directed by rules you can set up.


Additional features for caching.




While central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy, reverse proxies add this feature to that layer on the webserver and not to the client layer. Instead of focusing on the maintenance of firewalls at the server level which may include multiple servers with different configurations, the majority of firewall security can be concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. In addition, removing the burden of dealing with firewalls and communicating with requests from clients off web servers enables the firewall to focus on supplying resources.




If there are multiple servers operating through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy can be also responsible for directing what requests are directed to which servers. Multiple web servers might be operating on the same server, each serving various kinds of resources or a mixture of the two. These servers utilize the HTTP protocol to perform the role of an ordinary web server. However, they can be equipped with other protocols for application servers like FastCGI. It is possible to set up reverse proxy that directs clients to specific servers in accordance with the resource being requested or to follow certain rules regarding the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also have the ability to benefit from their position prior to web servers using caching capabilities. The large static files can be set up with caching policy to prevent hitting web servers every request. Certain solutions allowing you to serve static content without needing to connect to the website server at all. Additionally, the reverse proxy can be capable of compressing these assets.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a reliable reverse proxy solution. Although Apache is a reverse proxy solution, the Apache webserver also has reverse proxy functionality, it can be a second option for Apache and Nginx was designed initially for and specifically focuses on the reverse proxy features.



Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Since "forward" or "reverse" are associated with a sense of directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, the names could be confusing since both types of proxy can handle requests as well as responses. Better yet, the best method to distinguish between both forward and reverse proxy is to take into account the requirements of the app that you're developing.




A reverse proxy could be helpful when you are developing an option to host web applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers in any interactions through the Internet.




Forward proxy can be useful when used in front of customers for your personal use or in a business setting. They are your client's representative for any interaction on the internet.




Utilizing case-based differentiation instead of focusing on similar naming conventions will assist you in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



This article describes what a "proxy" is, with two main types being the reverse proxy and forward proxy. Practical scenarios to use them as well as an examination of the useful characteristics were used to define different types of proxy that are reverse and forward. If you're interested in learning how to make proxies work, look up our guide on how to set up Nginx as an HTTP server and reverse proxy for Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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