The phrase "proxy" is a reference to proxy servers. A proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is a software which functions as mediator between a client and server over the internet. Without the need for a proxy, a user could send a request to the resource directly to a server and the server would provide direct access to that resource. Although this approach is simple to understand and implement with proxy servers, it could provide benefits in terms of better performance, privacy, security, and more. In addition, a pass-through, a proxy acts as a security safeguard for the internet, separating clients from servers.




In general, the mixture of the server's hardware and proxy software is generally called proxy servers. This article will focus on proxies that are traditionally described as software as being used in conjunction with web servers. This article will give an explanation of the two types: that is a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own unique usage situation, and is frequently confused due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will provide you with the knowledge of what proxies and subtypes are and what they can accomplish in common configurations. After reading this article, it will be able to identify the instances where using proxies can be advantageous, and then choose the best choice between forward proxy and reverse proxy for any particular scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy also referred to as an open proxy is an agent used by the user trying to send an online request to an source server. In this case the entire process of sending requests from the client is directed through this forward proxy. Forward proxy acting in the place of the client, will review the request. It will first determine whether clients are authorized to send requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then either refuse requests or redirect them to the original server. The client doesn't have a direct connection to the internet. It can access only what forward proxy enables it to access.




The most common reason to utilize forward proxy is the need for greater privacy or security online. A forward proxy links to internet, not the client. In this process, it uses an IP address that is different from the IP address that the user is using.




Based on the way it has been set up the forward proxy will offer a variety of functions depending upon the way it's configured that allows you to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions based on your area.




Forward proxies can also be employed in systems that offer centralized security and access based on permissions like in workplaces. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy, an administrator can restrict access to a limited number of users accessing the internet, which is blocked by the standard firewall. Instead of creating firewalls for this layer of clients that could include multiple machines with different settings and users, the firewall can be set up at the layer that forwards proxy data.




Take note that forward proxy servers require manual configuration to be used, while reverse proxies can be ignored from the clients. Based on the type of IP address a user is transmitted to the server that originated it by forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or hidden.




There are many alternatives to think about in the case of forward proxy alternatives:




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


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


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. It's not part of the entire web server system. We have a tutorial on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections on 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 learn how to configure Dante proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as acting as an agent on behalf of a server on the internet that handles incoming requests from customers for. The web server may be a single server or a number of servers. It could also serve as an application server such as Gunicorn. The request will be sent through the internet generally. Most of the time, the request will be transmitted straight to the webserver that hosts the information that the user is looking for. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary, detaching this webserver from direct interactions with the internet's open.




From the perspective of the user, the experience of interacting with reverse proxy isn't any different from interacting with the webserver in direct contact. It's essentially the same but the client cannot recognize the difference. The client sends an order for an item and receives it, without additional configuration needed for the customer.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Security centralized for web servers.


Direction of the traffic that is coming in is determined by rules you can set up.


The caching functionality is now available to users.




While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers. However, reverse proxies offer this benefit only to the server layer, and not to the layer of clients. instead of the maintenance of firewalls that are on the layer of web servers which may comprise several servers that have different configurations, the majority in firewall protection is concentrated in the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the burden of dealing with firewalls and responding to requests from clients without web servers allows them to focus on meeting the requirements of their clients.




When there's multiple servers operating in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests are directed towards which servers. There could be multiple web servers that provide the identical service, however each offering different kinds of resources or a combination of both. They can use their HTTP protocol to operate as a normal web server, but they also can be outfitted with application server protocols like FastCGI. There is the possibility to configure reverse proxy services that redirects users to certain servers based on the requested resource, or to adhere to specific guidelines for the volume of traffic.




Reverse proxies also can benefit from their location on top of web servers, by providing the ability to cache information. The large static files can be created with caching rules to avoid from hitting web servers with each request. Certain solutions allow users to upload static files without needing to connect to a servers in any manner. In addition reverse proxy has the capability to compress these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as an extremely popular reverse proxy option. Even though Apache has a reverse proxy solution but the Apache web server comes with reverse proxy feature as an added option for Apache however Nginx was initially developed for and focuses exclusively on its reverse proxy function.



Distinguishing Between Forward and Reverse Proxy Examples



Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic could be confusing because both kinds of proxies handle the process of responding to requests. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the app you're creating.




Reverse proxy is useful in the development of a method to offer web-based services over the internet. They act as your web server whenever you use the web.




Forward proxy can be useful when it is placed in front of clients for personal use, or in a work setting. Forward proxy is a representation of the traffic of your client whenever you connect to the internet.




A case-based approach to distinction rather than focussing on commonly used naming conventions can assist in eliminating confusion.



Conclusion



The article delineated the definition of a proxy with the two types of proxy that are forward as well as the reverse one. Practical examples of use as well as a discussion of most effective features were employed to differentiate between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of proxy servers, follow our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet proxy and reverse proxy to Apache in an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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