No More Errors With Proxy Sites

A proxy can also be referred to as an application called a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between client and server over the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, a user could send a request to servers directly, and servers would serve the requested resource directly to the user. While this is a simple process to grasp and use the addition of proxy servers could result in benefits like enhanced performance as well as privacy, security and more. As an additional layer of pass-through, proxies serve as a security barrier on the internet between servers and clients.




Generally speaking, the bundled package of server hardware with installed proxy software is often referred as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers which are usually regarded as software, and as in the context of web servers. The article will provide a description of the two types, namely which are a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each has its own use case, often confused because of the resemblance to the namesake convention.




This article will give you an idea of the different types of proxy services and what their subtypes are, as well as how they are beneficial for the common setups. If you read the article carefully, you'll be able understand the situations when it's beneficial to utilize proxy services and make the best option between forward and reverse proxy, in any situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy also referred to by the name of the open proxy is the agent of the client, in making an internet request to an the server which made it. In this scenario the attempts to make requests from the user are instead routed straight through the forward proxy. In this situation the forward proxy, instead of the client will examine the request. It will first decide if this client is able to make requests using this specific forward proxy. Then, it can either reject requests or redirect them to the server it originated from. The client is not capable of having direct access to the internet. It has access to only what the forward proxy allows it to connect to.




The most common reason to utilize forward proxy services is to gain greater privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy utilizes the internet instead of an individual client, and during this manner it can utilize an alternate IP address in place of the primary IP address used by the client.




Depending on the method by which it's set up the forward proxy will provide a variety of functions and allow you to:




Beware of ads that track you.


Circumvent surveillance.


Determine restrictions based on place of residence.




Forward proxies are also employed in systems that offer central security and access based on permissions, such as in workplaces. If all internet traffic flows through a common forward proxy layer an administrator can grant only a small number of clients online access using an common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls at the client layer which could involve a number of computers with different settings and users, you can set up the firewall configured the front proxy layer.




Take note that forward proxies need to be set up manually in order to permit them to be used while reverse proxies may be ignored by clients. Depending on whether the IP address of a client is transmitted to the origin server through the forward proxy, security and privacy can be granted or not.




There are several options to consider for forward proxies:




Apache is an well-known open-source web server, which provides forward proxy features.


Nginx is another widely-used open-source webserver that includes forward proxy functionality.


Squid is an open source forward proxy which makes use of the HTTP protocol. This option doesn't include the entire website server program. You can read our tutorial on how to install Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante: A forward proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP in order to be more suitable for situations such as peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to know how to build a Dante proxy to permit private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions as a representative of the web server, taking care of incoming requests from clients on its behalf. The web server can comprise one server or several servers. It could also serve as an app server, for instance, Gunicorn. In all of these scenarios the request will originate from a user on the internet at large. The majority of the time the request is made directly to the website server that hosts the information that the client is seeking. A reverse proxy is a intermediary to separate Web servers and prevent direct contact with the internet's public.




From a consumer's point viewpoint from the perspective of a client the use of a reverse proxy is no the same as working with a Web server in direct contact. It's basically the same, but clients aren't able discern the difference. Client makes request for the resource and then it receives it, without any further configuration required from the user.




Reverse proxies provide features like:




A central layer of security that guards the server.


Controlling traffic inbound based on rules you can define.


New functionality added for caching.




While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxy providers offer this feature only to the layer on the webserver rather than the client layer. Instead of coordinating firewalls on the server level which may include multiple servers that have various configurations, the majority of security for firewalls is centered in the reverse proxy layer. Also, the removal of the responsibility of interacting with firewalls as well as interfacing with client requests via web servers allows firewalls to focus on supplying the resources.




If there are multiple servers that are within a reverse proxy the reverse proxy also determines which requests are directed to the server. There may be several web servers that provide the same content, offering various kinds of services, or a mix of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol exactly the same way as an ordinary web server. However, they can also be able to use application server protocols such as FastCGI. It is possible to set up a reverse proxy to send users to a specific server based on the service requested, or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.




Reverse proxies may benefit from being placed prior to web servers through the ability to cache data. The large static files can be set up with caching rules to avoid having to call web servers every time you request. There are some solutions even allowing users to directly serve static assets without having to contact the server once. Furthermore the reverse proxy is able to deal with the compression for these files.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a powerful reverse proxy solution. Although Apache has a reverse proxy option however, the Apache web server is also fitted with an reverse proxy function as an additional feature for Apache unlike Nginx was originally designed to and is focused on reverse proxy features.



Differentiating Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Situations



Due to the fact that "forward" and "reverse" have connotations of directionality as well as false comparisons to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic These labels can be confusing since both types of proxies manage the process of responding to requests. The best method to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to look at the requirements of the app you're developing.




Reverse proxy can be a valuable tool when you're creating a solution for serving applications on the web via the internet. They act as your web servers whenever you interact on the internet.




A forward proxy is helpful when placed before customers for your own usage as well as in an official context. They are a representation of the client's online traffic in any interaction on the internet.




The practice of separating by use case rather than focusing on the similar names will help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



This article clarifies the meaning of a proxy with two kinds: the forward proxy as well as the reverse. Practical scenarios for application and an examination of the beneficial attributes were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you'd like to explore implementation of proxies, you can read our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy to Apache using Ubuntu 20.04 Server. Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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