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A proxy is also known as a proxy server is software that functions as an intermediary between client and server on the internet. Without the need for proxy servers, users can send a request for an item directly to a server, and the server will deliver the resource directly back to the user. While this is a simple method to comprehend and implement the addition of proxy servers can bring advantages in terms of enhanced performance security, privacy, and more. In addition to providing a layer of security, proxies act as a security safeguard for the internet, separating clients from servers.




There is a general consensus that the collection of server hardware and proxy software is also frequently known as proxy servers. However, this article will focus on the proxies that are typically categorized as software and within the context of web servers. This article will give a synopsis of the two primary types, namely which are a forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each has its own usage, which can be confusing due to the same naming convention.




This article will provide you with an understanding of nature of proxies and what subtypes they are and how they function in normal configurations. By reading this article, you'll discover how to recognize the circumstances that are the best to utilize a proxy and decide on the appropriate choice between forward proxy and reverse proxy for any scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



In the same way, a forward proxy sometimes known as open proxy. In other words, an open proxy serves as the representative of a customer who wishes to make an internet-based request to an the server that originated it. In this situation, any attempt to send requests from the client will instead be routed direct to the forward proxy. Forward proxy acting on the instead of the user, will examine the request. First, it will determine if the client has the right to receive requests from this specific forward proxy. It then decides whether to reject an request and transfer it onto the original server. The client is unable to access directly the internet. It can only access what forward proxy allows the client access.




The most popular reason to use forward proxies is to increase privacy or security when surfing the internet. A forward proxy is able to connect to the internet in place of a client, and in this manner it can use an alternative IP address to the original IP address used by the client.




Depending on how they've been set up in the past forward proxy servers are able to give you a variety of options and allow you to:




Beware of ad-tracker.


Circumvent surveillance.


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




Forward proxies may also be used in systems that provide centralized security and permission based access, such as at work. If all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy layer, administrators are able to restrict access to specific clients on the internet and filter it through a standard firewall. Instead of having firewalls in place for the client layer that may comprise a range of devices that are different in user and operating environments, the firewall can be placed into the forward proxy layer.




Note that the forward proxy setting need to be configured manually in order to be used in reverse proxies, whereas forward proxies are able to be not recognized by clients. Depending on the type of IP address of the client is transmitted to the source server via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity may be granted or denied.




There are many possibilities to consider for forward proxies:




Apache: A popular open-source web server with forward proxy functions.


Nginx: Another popular open-source webserver, this one with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid: A free forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer an entire internet server. Check out our step-by-step guide to create Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante forward proxy that runs using the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP which makes it better suited to situations such as peer-to-topeer connections. It is also possible to look at the procedure for installing an Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions as a proxy for web servers that handle any requests that come in from clients on its behalf. The web server could comprise one or more servers. Additionally, it can be a server for applications like Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios, an application request comes through the internet as a whole. In the majority of cases, the request will be directly sent to the server that hosts the information that the client is seeking. Instead, a reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, securing Web servers from direct interactions with the public internet.




From the point of view that is a user's viewpoint, interfacing using a reverse proxy is no any different from using an internet server direct. It's the same, but the client cannot discern the distinction. The client requests an item and receives it, without any additional configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxies can provide features such as:




Centrally secured for Web Server Layer.


Controlling traffic inbound based on rules you can design.


The caching functionality was added to the application.




While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxies provide this feature to only the server layer and not the client layer. Instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers which may contain many servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security can be targeted at the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the responsibility to interact with firewalls and also interacting with clients' requests outside of web servers permits them to focus on meeting the requirements of their clients.




If there are multiple servers being hosted with a reverse-proxy the reverse proxy will also be responsible for directing which requests go to the server. There could be multiple web servers offering identical content providing different types of resource or a combination of both. They can use the HTTP protocol similar to an ordinary web server however they could also include different protocols for applications servers, such as FastCGI. You can also configure a reverse proxy to direct clients to specific servers in accordance with the requested resource or adhere to specific rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies also can make use of their location ahead of web servers, by providing the ability to cache. Massive static resources can be set up with caching rules to avoid from hitting web servers on every request. There are solutions that permit you to serve static assets directly without having to connect to a web server even once. In addition reverse proxy is able to manage compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a very popular reverse proxy service. Even though Apache can also be a reverse proxy option however, Apache is a reverse proxy service. Apache web server is also equipped with a reverse proxy function as an additional feature of Apache however Nginx was originally designed for and focuses on its reverse proxy feature.



Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Examples



Since "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with directionality, as well as false comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic the labels could be confusing, because both types of proxy deal with requests and responses. The best way to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy is to examine the requirements of the program you're building.




A reverse proxy can be beneficial when creating a solution to provide web-based services over the internet. They act as your web server when you interact on the web.




Forward proxy can be useful when it is displayed before clients to use for personal reasons or in the corporate setting. They represent your clients when you connect to the internet.




The use of case-based differentiation instead of focusing on standard naming conventions could help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



This article clarified the definition of a proxy with the two types of proxy: the forward one and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a review of beneficial features were used to distinguish between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested in knowing more about how to set up proxies you can check out our guide on how you can set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy with Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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