• 목록
• 답변
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

The word "proxy" refers to the concept of a proxy also referred to a proxy server, a software which serves to act as an intermediary for client and a server on the internet. Without the need for proxy, a user could send a request for resources direct to the server, then the server could provide the requested resource directly to the user. While this approach is straightforward to comprehend and utilize, adding proxies offers advantages like improved performance as well as privacy, security and many more. In addition to providing a pass-through layer, the proxy functions as a security layer for the internet between clients and servers.




Generally speaking, the combined combination of hardware and software for servers coupled with proxy software installed is sometimes referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on the types of proxies that are typically thought as software, and specifically in relation with web server. This article will give details of the two main types of proxies, which are forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct use case, often confused due to the similar terms.




This article will give you the understanding of the types of proxy and which subtypes they belong to and the way they work in various configurations. Through this guide, you'll be able to identify situations in which a proxy is beneficial, and select the best option between forward and reverse proxy for any situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy sometimes referred to as an open proxy is a means of intermediary for clients trying to make a request via the internet to a source server. In this case, the entire process of sending requests from the user is transmitted via the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting in place that of the user, would take a look at the request. It will decide whether this client can accept requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect it to the origin server. The client is not able to have an internet connection directly. It has access to only what forward proxy allows for it access to.




A common use case of forward proxy services is to obtain more privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy connects to the internet as a client, and in that process it could use a different IP address to that of the initial IP address of the client.




Based on how it's been set up according to the method of configuration, a forward proxy could provide a variety of functions and permit you to:




Do not click on ads that track you.


Circumvent surveillance.


Find restrictions based on the geolocation of your home.




Forward proxies are also employed in systems of centralized security and access based on permissions, like at a workplace. If all traffic on the internet flows through a forward proxy open layer, administrators can allow access to only a few individuals to access the web. This is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of creating security firewalls at the user layer that could be used by multiple computers with different configurations and users and environment, the firewall can be added to this layer to forward proxy data.




It is important to remember that forward proxies need to be configured manually and reverse proxies can go unnoticed by the client. Depending on the type of IP address a client is transmitted to the server from which it came from by the forward proxy Privacy and anonymity may be granted or not.




There are several possibilities to look into for forward proxy:




Apache An open-source, well-known web server that offers forward proxy capabilities.


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


Squid is an open source forward proxy based on the HTTP protocol. It's not the full web server system. We have a step-by-step guide on how to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP this is more appropriate for scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You might also want to know how to set up an Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary to a web server that handles incoming requests from customers on its behalf. This web server can serve as a one server, or a number of servers. Additionally, it can serve for application servers such as Gunicorn. In any case, a request would come through the internet in general. Most often the request will be sent directly to the server and include the information the user is looking for. Reverse proxy, however, functions as an intermediary, shielding the server from direct contact to the open internet.




From a user's point of perspective, the experience of working with reverse proxy isn't any different than using the server itself. It's exactly the same but the client can't tell the distinction. Clients can make a request for the resource and it receive it, with no additional configuration needed from the client.




Reverse proxy providers can provide features such as:




Security centralized for web servers.


Traffic coming into your site is routed according to the rules you establish.


The caching functionality is now available to users.




While centralized security can be a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy servers, reverse proxies offer this feature for the Web server layer, but not the client layer. instead of having to maintain firewalls at Web server layers which may comprise multiple servers with different configurations, most of firewall security can be focused at reverse proxy layers. In addition, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and interacting with requests from customers outside of web servers permits them to focus on delivering the needs of their clients.




If there are several servers working as a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy takes care of directing the requests to which server. There could be multiple web servers that provide the same service, all offering different types of resource or a mix of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. However, they can also be using application server protocols like FastCGI. It is possible to configure a reverse proxy to direct visitors to specific server depending on the service requested or to adhere to specific guidelines for traffic load.




Reverse proxies are also able to benefit from their position ahead of web servers, offering the capability to store information. Massive static resources can be configured by caching rules so that they avoid the web server from being hit on every request. Certain software solutions let you offer static files directly by not connecting with the website server. In addition the reverse proxy can handle the compression of these files.




The popular Nginx web server is also an efficient reverse proxy service. You can also use the Apache web server as reverse proxy features, it is an additional option to Apache and Nginx was originally designed for and specifically designed for reverse proxy capabilities.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Because "forward" or "reverse" have connotations of directionality, as well as false connections with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing since both kinds of proxies can handle requests as well as responses. An alternative method to differentiate between reverse and forward proxy is to look at the requirements of the application you're developing.




Reverse proxy could be useful when building an application to run web-based applications via the internet. They act as your web server for all interactions over the internet.




Forward proxy can be useful when it is displayed in front of customers for personal use, or in an organization. They are a representation of the customer's data whenever you interact on the internet.




Differentiating by case of use instead of focusing on the common naming conventions can assist you in making sure that there is no confusion.



Conclusion



The article explained the purpose of a proxy having two kinds: the forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical examples of use along with an examination of beneficial attributes were used to identify the two kinds of proxy that are reverse and forward. If you're keen to know more about the advantages of proxies, then we recommend that you go through our guide on how you can configure Nginx to function as an Internet server as well as reverse proxy in Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



Should you cherished this information along with you wish to obtain more details relating to Proxy Sites (www.openstreetmap.org) i implore you to go to the page.