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proxy or proxy is often referred to as a proxy server, a software that acts in the middle between a server and a client via the internet. Without proxy, a user could send a request for any service directly from the server and then the server will deliver an item directly for the requester. Although this method is easy to understand and use, however, the addition proxy servers can offer advantages in terms of more performance, privacy, security, and much more. Apart from offering a security layer, a proxy acts as a guardian for the internet between users and servers.




It is generally accepted that the combined combination of server hardware and an installed software proxy is often referred as a proxy server. For this post, we'll concentrate on proxies that are typically classified as software and within the context of web servers. The article will give a detailed breakdown of the two main types of proxies: that is the forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each one has its own use scenario, which is often not understood due to the common naming convention.




This article will provide you with the knowledge of what proxies and their subtypes are and the ways they can be useful in a range of configurations. Through this guide, you'll be able to recognize the situations where a proxy is beneficial, and make the right option between reverse and forward proxy in any given situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



An forward proxy sometimes known in the form of open proxy. An open proxy is a proxy for a user who is trying to connect via the internet to a source server. In this situation, any request made by the client will instead be routed through the forward proxy. Forward proxy in the client's stead, will examine the request. It will first determine if the client has been authorized to receive requests from this specific forward proxy. Then, it'll either deny requests or redirect them to the server that originated it. It's not able directly connect to the internet. It can only access what forward proxy allows the forward proxy to connect.




A typical use of forward proxy is the need for more privacy or security while surfing the web. Forward proxy connects to internet as a client during this manner, it connects an alternative IP address to the IP address of your client.




Based on the way it has been configured according to the configuration, a forward proxy could provide a wide range of options, allowing users to:




Beware of tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify limitations based on your geographic location.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems that give central security and access through permissions, for instance at work. Internet traffic can be routed via an open forward proxy. administrators are able to grant access to a specific group of users to the internet, and this is then filtered by the standard firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls on the client layer, this can be used by several computers with different environments and types of users, a firewall could be placed at this forward proxy layer.




Be aware that forward proxies have to be manually setup in order to allow their use, however reverse proxy servers will not be noticed by users. Based on the fact that an IP address from the client is transmitted to the original server through forward proxy Privacy and anonymity may be granted or kept secret.




There are many options to consider when it comes to forward proxy services.




Apache The Apache is a popular open-source webserver that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx is another well-known open-source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid: A free and Open Source Forward Proxy that makes use of an HTTP protocol. It doesn't come with the complete web server. This is a step-by-step tutorial to setup Squid proxy for secure connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP, making it more suitable for situations such as peer-to-peer connections. You can also look at the steps to install the Dante proxy that will allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy functions as an intermediary to a web server, handling any requests that come in from clients its place. It can be used as a single server or multiple servers. It could also contain an application server such as Gunicorn. In any event, it's possible to get a request from a customer through the internet at large. In most cases, the request would be sent directly to the server that hosts the information the client wants. Reverse proxy serves as an intermediary to isolate your web server from communication with the web's public.




From a consumer's point perspective, which is also a user's viewpoint, interfacing via reverse proxy isn't any distinct from the interaction with the server by itself. It's functionally identical to Web server and client is unable discern the distinction. The client is able to request the resource, and receive it, with no further configuration from the user.




Reverse proxies grant features like:




Centralized security on webservers.


Directing incoming traffic according to rules you design.


A new feature for caching has been added.




While centralized security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy services, reverse-proxies do this for only the layer of web servers, but not to the client layer. instead of having firewalls installed on the layer of web servers which might comprise multiple servers with different configurations, most of the firewall security is centered at the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, getting rid of the necessity of interfacing with a firewall and interfacing with requests from clients that do not use web servers lets them concentrate on addressing the needs of their customers.




In the case of multiple servers hosting through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests go towards which servers. There could be multiple web servers offering the same service, but providing different types of resources, or perhaps a mix of both. They can use the HTTP protocol similar to an ordinary web server but can be outfitted with protocols for application servers like FastCGI. It is possible to set up reverse proxy that directs clients to an individual server based on the requested resource or to follow certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxy systems can benefit from placing them on the top of web servers by using caching capabilities. Large static assets can be set up by caching rules to ensure that web servers are not hit every time you request. Some applications allow users to serve static content directly without having to connect to the web server in any way. Furthermore, reverse proxy has the ability to compress these assets.




The popular Nginx web server is also used as a popular reverse proxy service. It is real that Apache web server does have reverse proxy feature, it's an alternative option for Apache in contrast to Nginx was initially designed and focused on reverse proxy capabilities.



Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Since "forward" and "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic. These terms can be confusing since both kinds of proxies handle both requests and replies. The best way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy services is to consider the needs of the application you're creating.




Reverse proxy is an essential element when designing a solution to deliver web applications to the internet. They are your web servers for any interaction on the internet.




Forward proxy applications are useful when they are put in front of customers for personal use or even in a working environment. They can be used to represent your client's traffic when you interact with the internet.




A case-based approach to differentiation rather than focusing exclusively on the most common names will ensure that you don't be confused.



Conclusion



This article clarified what a "proxy" is and the two primary kinds being reverse and forward proxies. Practical applications and a discussion of the beneficial features was used to differentiate forward proxies as well as reverse proxy. If you're looking for ways to set up proxies, follow our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as a web server and reverse proxy on Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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