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A proxy is also referred to as a proxy server software that acts as a mediator between a client and server on the internet. Without a middleman, a customer would make an attempt to request the resource directly to the server and the server will serve the requested resource directly for the client. Although this procedure is easy to understand and apply using proxies, it can provide benefits like increased performance, privacy and security, and many other. Apart from providing a layer of security they also act as a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.




In general, the bundled package of server hardware with installed proxy software is often referred by the name proxy servers. However, this article will concentrate on proxies traditionally defined as software, and also when referring to web servers. This article will give a synopsis of the two primary types: one is one that is a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct use, which could be confusing due to the similar name-based convention.




This article will equip readers with the information on the different types of proxy services, their subtypes, and the ways in which they can be beneficial in common configurations. In this article, you'll be able to discern the scenarios in which you can benefit from a proxy and choose the best option between forward and reverse proxy, in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy also known in the context of being an open proxy, acts as the representative of a customer who wants to forward requests through the internet to the server that initiated it. In this case, it's the scenario that all requests made by the client will be directed direct into forward proxy. Forward proxy who is acting on behalf that of the customer, is able to look at the request. It will first will determine if the client is authorized to send requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it can either deny requests or redirect it to the origin server. The client is not able to have directly access to internet. it can only be capable of accessing the data that forward-proxy allows it to connect to.




One of the most popular reasons for using forward proxy is the desire for greater privacy or security online. Forward proxy has the ability to connect to the internet as the client, and in this manner, it utilizes another IP address in comparison to the IP address of your client.




Depending on how it's been configured, based on the way it has been configured forward proxy could perform a variety of tasks as well as the ability to:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify limitations based on your geographic location.




Forward proxies also are employed in systems that provide central security and access that is dependent on permissions, for example at work. In the event that all internet traffic flows by an open forward proxy an administrator can restrict access to only certain clients to the internet through a common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls for the client layer which could contain multiple devices that have different configurations and user, a firewall can be installed on the forward proxy layer.




Be aware that forward proxies must be manually set up to work the reverse proxy, while forward proxies may not be noticed by the user. Depending on the type of IP address of the client, when it is sent to the origin server via forward proxy, privacy and anonymity may be granted or left transparent.




There are numerous possibilities to look into forward proxy options:




Apache: A popular open-source web server, which offers forward proxy capabilities.


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


Squid is an open source forward proxy using an HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer an entire web server application. We have instructions on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP and is more suitable for use cases like peer-to-peer connections. You can also learn how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts acting as an intermediary for the web server and manages the incoming requests of clients in its place. The web server can serve as a one server or as a series of servers. It could also be used as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations, a request would come from a user of the internet generally. In most cases, the request would be directed directly to a web server which has all the resources the client seeking. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, protecting the webserver from direct contact with the open internet.




From the user's point of view, the process of using reverse proxy isn't any different than working with a web server directly. It's functionally the same however the client is unable to tell the distinction. The client makes the request to access resources, which is then received with no further configuration required on the part of the client.




Reverse proxy proxies can provide some features, including:




Security centralized for web servers.


Controlling traffic inbound using rules that you establish.


The caching function was added to the application.




While centralized security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy services, reverse proxies give this benefit only to Web layer servers and not to the client layer. Instead of maintaining firewalls on Web server layers, which can comprise multiple servers that have different configurations, most of firewall security is concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, the absence of interfacing with a firewall and interacting with requests from clients off of web servers lets them focus on providing resources.




If there are multiple servers working behind a reverse proxy, it also controls how requests are routed the correct server. There are many web servers providing the exact identical service, but each one serving different types of resources, or a combination of both. These servers may use an HTTP protocol to function as a standard web server, however, they may also use protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can set up reverse proxy services to redirect customers to a specific server according to the resource requested, or to observe specific rules regarding traffic load.




Reverse proxies also benefit from their placement in front of web servers by virtue of caching. Massive static resources can be arranged using caching rules in order that they avoid having to connect to web servers every time they need to make a request. There are solutions that provide the option to directly serve static assets, without needing to connect to a web server in any way. In addition, the reverse proxy can be used to handle compression of the assets.




The well-known Nginx web server is an efficient reverse proxy service. You can also use the Apache web server, it also has a reverse proxy as an additional function of Apache in contrast to Nginx was initially designed for and concentrates on the reverse proxy function.



The difference between Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Utilization



Since "forward" and "reverse" have connotations that refer to directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, the labels can be confusing as both kinds of proxy services are able to handle both requests and responses. A better approach to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to consider the needs of the application you're developing.




A reverse proxy is a good option when you are developing a solution to serve web-based applications via the internet. They serve as your web servers for all interactions with the internet.




Forward proxy applications can be advantageous when used in front of the client for your private use, or in a workplace setting. They represent your client's traffic for any online interaction.




Utilizing case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the common naming conventions can help you avoid confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the definition of a proxy with the two main kinds of them that are the forward and reverse proxy. Practical applications and a glance at beneficial characteristics were used in defining forward proxy as well as reverse proxy. If you're interested in knowing more about how proxies are implemented, look into our tutorial on how to configure Nginx in a reverse proxy and internet-based server for Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 Server.



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