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It is a proxy or proxy server. is a server-related software which serves as an intermediary between a clients and servers on the internet. Without an intermediary, a user could submit a request for or resource to the server directly, and the server would serve the requested resource directly to the customer. While this procedure is easy to understand and implement using proxy servers, it does offer advantages such as more performance, privacy, security, and many more. As a pass-through layer, the proxy functions as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.




In general, the system of hardware for servers as well as software for proxy installation is often referred in the context of proxy servers. In this post, we'll focus on proxies typically understood as software, and the ones used to complement web servers. We will provide a description of two types of proxies: forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own unique use case, and is often misunderstood because of the similar naming convention.




This article will give you some understanding about what proxies and their subtypes are, and also what they can do for common setups. Through this article, you will be able to determine the situations in which an effective proxy can be advantageous, and then choose the correct solution in between forward and reverse proxy to suit your needs in any given situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Also forward proxy, also known as the open proxy is a representative of the client that is trying to send a request via the internet to an origin server. In this case, all attempt to send requests by the client will be sent by the forward-proxy. In this situation, this forward-proxy acting instead of the user will review the request. First, it will determine what authorization the user has to send requests via this particular forward proxy. The forward proxy will then deny this request and transfer it over to the original server. The client is not able to establish a direct connection to the internet. It will only be able to connect to what the forward proxy gives the client access.




The most common uses for forward proxies is to provide greater privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy can be utilized to connect to the internet instead of a client and, in doing so, could use an alternate IP address in place of the IP address that was originally assigned to the client.




Depending on how it's been set up in the past forward proxy servers may offer a range of services and permit you to:




Avoid ad tracking.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify limitations based on your location.




Forward proxies are also employed to secure systems that are centralized and permission based access for instance, in a workplace. When all internet traffic goes through a common forward proxy layer, an administrator can grant access only to specific people to connect on the internet, which is filtered by an common firewall. Instead of having firewalls installed to protect the client layer which could comprise a range of machines that have different environments and users, a firewall can be placed in an front proxy layer.




Take note of the fact that forward proxies require manual configuration for use, However reverse proxy will be not noticed by the client. Based on whether or not the IP address of the customer is passed to the original server via an forward proxy. Privacy and anonymity can be granted, or not noticed.




There are many options to investigate to find forward-looking proxy services:




Apache is an well-known open-source web server that provides forward proxy functions.


Nginx: Another well-known open-source server used for web hosting with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that makes use of the HTTP protocol. This option doesn't include an entire web server service. There is a video tutorial on how you can install Squid proxy for private connection on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it better suited to cases like peer-to peer traffic. You can also examine how you can set up Dante proxy to connect privately on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy functions as an agent of a web server that handles incoming requests by clients on its behalf. The web server could comprise a single server, or a number of servers. It can also function as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations it is possible to get a request from a user via the internet at large. In the majority of cases, this request will go straight to the web server hosting the information the user requires. A reverse proxy is a intermediary, separating Web server from direct interactions with the open internet.




From a client's perspective that is a user's viewpoint connecting to reverse proxy isn't any different than connecting directly to your website server. It's the same thing but the client isn't able to discern the difference. The customer makes a request for an item and is given it without any additional configuration needed to be completed by the client.




Reverse proxy proxies may offer features, like:




A centralized layer of security that guards the server.


Controlling traffic inbound based on rules that you can create.


A new feature for caching is now available.




While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxies provide this service to this web server layer, not clients. In lieu of maintaining firewalls on the layer of web servers, which might contain several servers with various configurations, the majority of firewall security is directed at this layer. Furthermore, removing the obligation of interfacing with firewalls as well as responding to the requests of clients from web servers allows them to concentrate on the needs of their customers.




If there are multiple servers using a reverse proxy the reverse proxy handles how requests are routed on which server. A number of web servers could be offering the same content but they may offer different kinds of resources, or some mixture of the two. These servers may use the HTTP protocol like a traditional web server, however they may include applications server protocols such as FastCGI. You may also set up reverse proxy in order to direct clients to specific servers depending on the service requested or to adhere to certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies may also take advantage of their placement on top of web servers by supplying caching capabilities. Large static files can be set using caching rules to prevent the server from getting hit with every request, with certain solutions providing the possibility of providing static files directly, without involving the web server in any way. Additionally, the reverse proxy could handle the compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx webserver is a wildly popular reverse proxy option. While Apache is also a reverse proxy solution, the Apache web server is also equipped with reverse proxy function as an added choice for Apache as opposed to Nginx was designed initially for and specifically focused on reverse proxy capabilities.



Distinguishing Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Examples



Because "forward" along with "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality, and a false comparison to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic. These labels can be confusing since both types of proxies handle both responses and requests. Instead, a better way to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy is to take into account the requirements of the application you're developing.




A reverse proxy is useful when designing an application that is able to serve web-based applications via the internet. They represent your web servers throughout all interactions on the web.




A forward proxy is helpful when it is placed before traffic from clients for personal use or for work. They are a representation of your traffic whenever you interact on the internet.




Differentiating by case of use rather than focusing solely on similar naming conventions will assist in avoiding confusion.



Conclusion



This article will explain the definition of a proxy, with the two major kinds being reverse and forward proxy. Examples of practical applications as well as an examination of important characteristics were used to establish forward proxies and reverse proxy. If you're interested to learn more about how to implement proxies you can check out our guide on how to install Nginx as a web server and reverse proxy on Apache on the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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