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The word "proxy" is a reference to a proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is a software which acts as a mediator between a client and server on the internet. Without the use of proxy servers, a user could send a request to the server directly, and then the server would deliver the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to comprehend and implement using proxies, it can provide advantages in terms of enhanced performance, privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through a proxy serves as a security guardian of the internet, separating clients from servers.




In general, the mixture of the server's hardware as well as proxy software is often known as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are typically described as software as well as being used in conjunction with web servers. The article will offer an explanation of two main types: namely a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each kind has its own unique usage scenario, which is often confused due to the similar namesake convention.




This article will provide you with the knowledge of what proxies and subtypes are and what they can accomplish in typical configurations. After reading this article, it will be able identify scenarios where the use of proxy servers is beneficial, and choose the best choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy depending on the situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy sometimes known in the context of the open proxy is an agent for the user looking to transmit an online request to an source server. In this case the entire attempt to send requests made by the client will instead be routed through an forward proxy. Forward proxy acting in place of the client, will scrutinize the request. It will first determine if clients are authorized to make requests via this particular forward proxy. It will then refuse requests or redirect them to the original server. The client doesn't have a direct access to the internet. It has access to only the information that forward proxy enables it to connect to.




The most common reason to use forward proxy is for more privacy or security online. A forward proxy links to the internet, not the client, and in this manner, it utilizes an IP address distinct from the original IP address that the user is using.




Based on the way it has been configured, the forward proxy will provide many functions, based on how it is configured that permits you to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions that are based on the location you are in.




Forward proxies are also utilized in systems that offer central security and access based on user permissions like in workplaces. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy, the administrator is able to restrict access to a limited number of users to the internet. This is blocked by the standard firewall. Instead of creating firewalls for this layer of clients that can comprise multiple computers that have different settings and users the firewall could be placed at the layer that forwards proxy data.




It is important to be aware of the fact that forward proxy servers need to be manually configured to use and reverse proxies may be ignored from the clients. Depending on the type the IP address that a user is transmitted to the server from which it originated through forward proxy privacy and anonymity could be granted or kept in the dark.




There are many options to consider when considering forward proxy options:




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


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


Squid is a forward-proxy open source that uses an HTTP protocol. It doesn't come with the entire webserver system. We have a tutorial on how you can install Squid proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it better to handle situations like peer-to-peer connections. It is also possible to understand how to set up Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as the agent of a server on the internet that handles incoming requests from users for. The web server may be a single server or multiple servers. It may also act for application servers such as Gunicorn. The request will come via the internet, generally. Most of the time, your request is sent direct to a server hosting the resources that the user is seeking. Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary and separates the webserver from direct interaction with the open internet.




From the perspective of the user, the experience of working with reverse proxy isn't any distinct from connecting to your webserver directly. It's essentially the same but the client can't recognize the difference. A client submits an order for an item and gets it, without further configuration required for the customer.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Security centralized for web servers.


The direction of traffic that is entering is based on rules you set up.


The caching feature is now available to users.




Although central security is an advantage of both forward and reverse proxy servers, reverse proxy services provide this benefit only to the server layer, not to the layer that clients use. instead of the maintenance of firewalls at the web server layer which may comprise several servers that have different configurations, the majority of firewall security is placed at the layer of reverse proxy. Additionally, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and responding to requests from clients without web servers allows them to concentrate on providing the needs of their clients.




If there are multiple servers operating as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests are directed towards which servers. There may be several web servers that provide the same service, but each having different resources or a combination of both. They can utilize an HTTP protocol to serve as a standard web server, but they can also be equipped with applications server protocols such as FastCGI. It is possible to set up reverse proxy services that redirects users to certain servers based on the requested resource, or to conform to certain guidelines regarding the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also can benefit from their positioning above web servers, by providing the ability to cache information. Large static assets can be configured using caching rules to prevent from hitting web servers with each request. Some solutions allowing the delivery of static files directly without having to connect to a servers in any manner. Additionally, reverse proxy is able to handle compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a well-known reverse proxy option. Even though Apache is also a reverse proxy option but the Apache web server also has reverse proxy capability as an added option for Apache and Nginx was initially designed for and focuses exclusively on its reverse proxy function.



Distinguishing Between Forward and Reverse Proxy Examples



Since "forward" and "reverse" are both associated with a sense of directionality, and false comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic could be confusing as both types of proxies deal with requests and responses. An alternative approach to distinguish between reverse and forward proxy is to examine the specifications of the application that you're constructing.




A reverse proxy could be beneficial in the creation of a system to deliver web-based applications over the internet. They are your web servers when you are on the internet.




Forward proxy can be useful when placed in front of clients for personal use or in a workplace. They represent the traffic of your client whenever you connect to the internet.




The use case-based distinction rather than focusing on commonly used naming conventions can assist in avoiding confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the definition of a proxy by comparing the two types of proxy: the forward proxy as well as the reverse one. Examples of how to use them and a discussion of the most effective features were employed to distinguish between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested in exploring the benefits of proxy servers, learn how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy for Apache in the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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