A proxy is also known as proxy server software which serves to act as an intermediary between a client and server over the internet. Without a middleman, a customer would make a request the resource directly to a server and the server will serve the requested resource directly to the user. Although this procedure is easy to comprehend and implement using proxies, it can provide benefits like increased performance as well as security and privacy and many more. Alongside providing a layer of security they also act as a security guardian of the internet between users and servers.




The packaged server hardware with installed proxy software is commonly referred to in the context of proxy servers. This article will concentrate on the proxies that are typically referred to as software and when referring to web servers. We will provide a brief overview of the two main kinds: one being a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct use, which could be confusing due to the identical name-based convention.




This article will provide readers with the information on the different types of proxy services, their subtypes are, as well as the ways that they can be helpful in common configurations. In this article, you'll be able to discern the scenarios that you can gain from a proxy and choose the correct solution in between reverse and forward proxy for any scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known as an open proxy, also known as an open serves as the agent of a client who would like to transmit requests through the internet to the server that created it. In this scenario it is the scenario that all requests made by the client will be directed direct through forward proxy. Forward proxy who is acting on behalf on behalf of client examine into the request. It will first will determine if the client is authorized to send requests through this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either deny requests or redirect it to the server that originated it. The client isn't capable of having directly access to internet; it can only be capable of accessing the details that the forward proxy permits it to connect to.




One popular reason to use forward proxy is the desire for greater security or privacy online. Forward proxy is able to access the internet as the client, and in this way, it is using another IP address, in contrast to your client's IP address.




Depending on how it's been set up depending on the way it has been configured forward proxy could perform a variety of tasks in addition to the ability to:




Beware of Ad-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can spot limitations based on your geographic location.




Forward proxies also are used in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, such as at work. In the event that all internet traffic flows via an open forward proxy an administrator can limit access to specific clients to the internet through the common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls for the client layer which could contain multiple devices with different configurations and users A firewall could be placed at the forward proxy layer.




Keep in mind that forward proxy servers must be manually configured to use the reverse proxy, while forward proxies may be ignored by the client. The type of IP address of the client, when it is sent to the server from which it originated via the forward proxy privacy and anonymity might be granted or left transparent.




There are a myriad of options to consider for forward proxies:




Apache The Apache is a popular open-source web server, which offers forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another renowned open-source webserver with forward proxy capability.


Squid: A free and Open Source Forward Proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't come with a complete web server application. We have instructions on how to setup Squid proxy to permit private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol in place of HTTP which makes it more suitable for use cases like peer-topeer communication. It is also possible to learn how to configure Dante proxy to support private connections on Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as an agent for a web server and handles any requests that come in from clients. Web servers can function as a single server or multiple servers. Furthermore, it could function as an application server such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations, a request would come from a user on the internet at large. Most of the time, the request would be directed directly to a web server that holds all the information the user is seeks. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, protecting the webserver from direct contact with the internet.




From an individual or user's viewpoint the procedure of using reverse proxy is not any different from working with the website server in direct contact. It's essentially the same thing, however the client cannot tell the difference. The client sends an request for a resource, which is then received with no further configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxy proxies can provide some features, including:




Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.


The direction of traffic that is according to rules you create.


The caching feature was added to the application.




While central security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxy service, reverse proxies provide this benefit only to Web server layers and not to the client layer. Instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers, which can contain multiple servers with various configurations, most of the firewall security is aimed at the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the necessity of interfacing with firewalls and responding to requests made by clients through web servers lets them focus on providing resources.




If there are multiple servers working behind a reverse proxy, it also controls the way requests are routed to the correct server. There are many web servers offering the same service, each serving different types of resources, or some combination of both. These servers may use their HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, but they can also incorporate application server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up reverse proxy servers to direct customers to a specific server based on the requested resource or to adhere to specific rules regarding traffic load.




Reverse proxies also benefit from their placement before web servers through the capability of caching. Large static assets can be set up with caching rules to ensure that they do not have to communicate with web servers every time they need to make a request. There are solutions providing the possibility of serving directly static assets without needing to connect to the web server in any way. Additionally, the reverse proxy could handle the compression of these assets.




The popular Nginx webserver is an effective reverse proxy service. While you can use it, the Apache web server, it also has reverse proxy capabilities as an additional feature of Apache in contrast to Nginx was designed initially for and concentrates on the reverse proxy function.



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



Since "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with directionality, and false connections to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic the labels can be confusing as both kinds of proxy services are able to handle requests as well as responses. The best way to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy providers is to take into account the needs of the application that you are developing.




A reverse proxy is a good option when you are developing an application that can serve web-based applications via the internet. They serve as your web servers for any interaction online.




Forward proxy applications can be useful when they are employed in front of clients for personal use or in a work setting. They represent your client's internet traffic, for any online interaction.




A case-based distinction instead of focusing solely on common naming conventions can make it easier to avoid confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the definition of a proxy and the two most common types of them being the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a look at the beneficial traits were used to define forward proxies as well as reverse proxy. If you're interested to learn more about implementation of proxies check out our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy for Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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