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A proxy is also known as an application called a proxy server that serves as an intermediary between client and server via the internet. Without proxy servers, users could submit a request to resources directly to a server and servers would then serve the requested resource directly to the user. It is an easy process to grasp and use the addition of proxies can result in benefits like enhanced performance, privacy, security, and many more. As an additional layer of pass-through, proxies are a way to secure the internet between clients and servers.

Generally speaking, the bundled package of server hardware with the software for proxy installation is typically called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are generally referred to as software as being used in conjunction with web servers. The article will offer details of the two primary kinds, namely which are a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each has its own application, and is frequently confused because of the resemblance to the namesake convention.

This article will provide an idea of the what proxy services and their subtypes are, and how they are beneficial for the common setups. If you've read this article, you'll understand the situations when it's beneficial to utilize proxy services and make the right choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy for any scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy also referred to in the context of an open proxy serves as the agent of the client, trying to make an internet-based request to the server that originated it. In this scenario any attempts to send requests from the user will be routed straight to the forward proxy. In this case the forward proxy, instead of the client will examine the request. It will first determine whether the client can make requests via this specific forward proxy. Then, it can either deny requests or redirect them to the original server. The client isn't capable of having an internet connection directly. It can access only what the forward proxy allows it to connect to.

The primary reason people utilize forward proxy services is to increase privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy uses the internet in lieu of an individual client and, in doing so, it may use an alternative IP address to the original IP address that is used by the client.

Depending on the method by which it's set up, a forward proxy can offer a variety of features and allow you to:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Establish restrictions based upon the location.
  
  

Forward proxies may also be employed in systems that offer centralized security and access based upon permissions, like at work. If all internet traffic flows through a common forward proxy layer an administrator is able to permit only a small number of clients online access through a common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls on the client layer, which can involve many machines with varying settings and users you can put the firewall configured on an intermediary layer.

Note that forward proxies must be manually set up for them to be used while reverse proxies may be ignored by clients. Based on the type of IP address of a client is passed to the original server through the forward proxy, security and privacy can be granted or kept in the dark.

There are many possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxy options:

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  Apache is a well-known open-source web server that provides forward proxy capabilities.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another widely used open-source webserver which has forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Squid is an open source forward proxy which uses the HTTP protocol. This option doesn't include the complete Web server software. You can read our tutorial on how to use Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that operates the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP in order to be more suited for cases such as peer-to-peer connections. You might also wish to learn how to create an Dante proxy that allows private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as an agent for the web server, taking care of the incoming requests of clients on behalf. The web server can comprise one server or several servers. Additionally, it can serve as an app server, for instance, Gunicorn. In all of these scenarios the request will come from a user via the web at large. In the majority of cases the request is made directly to the website server hosting the information that the client wants. A reverse proxy is a intermediary to isolate Web server from direct contact with the web's public.

From a consumer's point of viewpoint from the perspective of a client, using reverse proxy isn't any different from working with Web server in direct contact. It's basically the same thing, however the client can't tell the distinction. Client makes request for the resource and it gets it, with no additional configuration needed by the client.

Reverse proxies provide features like:

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  A central layer of security that guards the server.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic inbound based on rules that you can set up.
  
  
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  New feature added to caching.
  
  

Central security is a benefit for both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxies offer this benefit to the layer of the webserver rather than the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls at the server level that may comprise multiple servers with various configurations, the majority of firewall security is concentrated upon the reverse proxy. Also, the removal of the responsibility to interact with firewalls and interfacing with client requests off of web servers enables the firewall to focus on providing resources.

In the case of multiple servers that are in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy takes care of directing the requests to the server. There may be multiple web servers offering the same content, offering different kinds of services or a mixture of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol in the same way as the traditional web server. But, they may also be able to use application server protocols such as FastCGI. You can configure reverse proxy servers to route visitors to a particular server based on the service being requested, or to adhere to certain guidelines for traffic load.

Reverse proxies may also benefit from their positioning ahead of web servers, by offering the capability to store data. Large static assets can be set up using caching rules to prevent having to call web servers for every request, with some solutions allowing you to directly serve static assets without having to contact the web server for even one time. Additionally the reverse proxy can handle the compression on these resources.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a reliable reverse proxy solution. Although Apache has a reverse proxy option, it is a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server is fitted with an reverse proxy feature as an additional option for Apache unlike Nginx was originally designed to and focuses on reverse proxy functions.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use-cases

Because "forward" and "reverse" have connotations of directionality, as well as false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic These labels can be confusing since both types of proxies handle the process of responding to requests. The most effective way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxies is to examine the needs of the app you're working on.

Reverse proxy is an effective tool to use when developing a solution to serve web-based applications via the internet. They represent your web servers when you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy can be useful when it is displayed in front of clients for personal use as well as in an official setting. They represent your client's web traffic during any internet-based interaction.

Separating by use case, instead of focusing on the similar names can help in avoidance of confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains the meaning of a proxy with two types being the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical application scenarios and an exploration of beneficial attributes were used to determine forward proxies as well as reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the implementation of proxies, you can read our guide on how you can configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy for Apache in an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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