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An proxy or proxy server is software that sits acting as an intermediary for a client and server over the internet. Without a proxy, a client could send a request for an item directly the server, and then the server would provide that resource to its user directly. Although this method is easy to comprehend and utilize, using proxies has advantages, such as greater performance, privacy, security, and much more. In addition to passing through, proxies act as a guardian for the internet between servers and users.

The package of server hardware with the software to install proxy servers is usually referred to as proxy servers. But, this article will focus on proxy servers that are usually described as software as well as those used in conjunction with web servers. We will present a summary of the two major types of proxies: the one that is forward and the reverse proxy. Each has its own usage that can cause confusion due to the same terminology.

This article will give you an understanding of what proxies and their subtypes are, as well as their utility in a variety of configurations. By reading the article you will understand how to determine the situations where proxies are beneficial, and determine the most appropriate option for forward proxy or reverse proxy based on the circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy, also referred to by the name of the open proxy is a proxy for a client who attempts to send an online request to a server. In this scenario, the entire attempt to send requests from the client will be directed by the forward-proxy. The forward proxy, in lieu of the user will examine the request. It will first check if the client been authorized to transmit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then reject an request and forward it to the original server. The client does not have direct access to the internet. It is able to access only the information that the forward proxy allows the client to connect.

One of the most common uses for forward proxies is greater privacy or security online. The forward proxy can connect to internet instead of a client. as a result it is using an alternative IP address to the client's original IP address.

Based on how it has been set up in accordance with the configuration forward proxy can offer a range of features dependent on the way it's configured. This allows users to:

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  Avoid ad tracking.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Determine the restrictions that are based on your location.
  
  

Forward proxies can also be used in systems that use centralized security and based access, for instance, in workplaces. If all traffic on the internet flows through an open forward proxy layer, the administrator is able to limit access to a specific user group to the internet through an common firewall. Instead of having firewalls in place for the client layer that could comprise a range of machines that have different environments and users there is the possibility to install an firewall that is located in the forward proxy layer.

It is important to remember that forward proxy servers have to be manually configured for be utilized, whereas reverse proxy servers can remain unnoticed by clients. Based on the type of IP address of the client, it is sent to the server which created it through forward proxy, privacy and security may be granted or left in the dark.

There are a myriad of options to be considered for forward proxies

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  Apache: A popular open-source web server offering forward proxy capability.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open-source web server with forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Squid: An open-source forward proxy which uses the HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer an entire Web server app. You can read our instructions on how to set up Squid proxy to permit private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP and is better suitable for applications such as peer-to -peer traffic. It is also possible to understand how to configure the Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary for a web server, which handles incoming requests by clients on behalf of. The web server could comprise a single server or multiple servers. In addition, it could serve as an app server such as Gunicorn. In any case, the request comes from a user on the internet in general. In the majority of cases, your request is made directly to the web server, which is equipped with all the resources the client is needs. However, a reverse proxy works as an intermediary and isolates Web servers from direct contact with the open internet.

From the consumer's point of the consumer's perspective, working with reverse proxy is not different from interacting with an internet server direct. It's the same thing, and the client cannot see the difference. The client asks for this resource and then gets it without any additional configuration needed to be performed by the customer.

Reverse proxies provide features such as:

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  A central layer of security that protects the server.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic coming inbound according to rules that you can establish.
  
  
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  A new feature to cache is now available.
  
  

While centralized security is a benefit of both reverse and forward proxies, reverse proxies provide this only to the server layer and not the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers and different configurations, most security measures for firewalls are targeted towards the reverse proxy layer. In addition, the ease of interfacing with firewalls and interacting with requests from customers who aren't connected to web servers permits the firewall to focus on addressing the needs of their clients.

In the case of multiple servers running within reverse proxy, it manages controlling which requests go to which servers. Many web servers may be working on the same server, serving different kinds of resources or a combination of both. These servers use the HTTP protocol like a traditional web server. They can also be equipped with applications server protocols such as FastCGI. You can configure reverse proxy servers to guide the clients towards specific servers depending on the type of resource they are searching for, or follow certain rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also be able to gain advantages from their positioning prior to web servers, through providing caching functions. Large static assets are able to be configured using caching rules so that they do not have to connect with web servers for every request. Certain solutions offer the option to directly serve static files without having to contact the web server for even one time. Additionally reverse proxy is able to manage compression of these assets.

The popular Nginx web server also functions as an effective reverse proxy solution. It is true it is true that Apache website server also equipped with a reverse proxy that can be used in conjunction with Apache but Nginx was originally built for and is focused on the reverse proxy feature.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Examples

Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and false comparisons to "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic. It can be confusing since both types of proxy services process requests and respond. The best way to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy service is to take into account the requirements of the application you're creating.

A reverse proxy is a great option when you are developing a solution to offer web-based services via the internet. They serve as your servers in any interactions through the Internet.

Forward proxy software is useful when they are placed in front of the client for your personal usage as well as in an office environment. They are your client's representative when you interact with the internet.

The use case-based differentiation instead of focusing on commonly used naming conventions can help in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains what a proxy is with two kinds: forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and an exploration of beneficial features were used to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy. If you're interested in learning more about the implementation of proxies we recommend you follow our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy using Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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