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A proxy, also known as a proxy, also known as a proxy server is also known as a proxy server is software which functions as mediator between client and server over the internet. Without a proxy, a client will send a request directly to a server, and it would deliver the requested resource directly to the user. Although this is a simple process to understand and implement using proxy services, it may offer benefits in terms of increased performance as well as privacy, security and much more. As an additional layer of security, a proxy acts as a gatekeeper for the internet between servers and users.




The general combination of server hardware with installed proxy software is commonly called proxy servers. In this article, we will examine proxy servers which are usually described as software, and also within the context of web servers. This article will give a detailed breakdown of the two main types of proxy servers: a forward proxy as well as a reverse proxy. Each has its own use case, often confused because of a similar name convention.




This article will provide you with an idea of the what proxy services and their subtypes are, as well as their significance in common setups. After reading this article, you'll be able to understand how to identify the circumstances where a reliable proxy could be useful, and choose the correct alternative between reverse and forward proxy, based on the circumstances.



Understanding Forward Proxies



A forward proxy also called an open proxy, also known as an open acts as an intermediary for a client that is trying to send a request via the internet to an source server. In this case every request sent by the client will be sent straight through the forward proxy. A forward proxy in the client's place, will review the request. First, it will decide if the client's allowed be able to accept requests through this particular forward proxy. Then, it will deny any request, or redirect it to the original server. The client does not have direct access to the internet. It has access to only the web pages that the forward proxy allows its access.




One of the most frequent applications of forward proxies is to improve privacy and security when surfing the internet. A forward proxy uses the internet as a client, and in the process, it will use an alternative IP address to the client's original IP address.




Based on the way it was configured, based on the configuration forward proxy can provide various features based on the way it's configured and allows users to:




Beware of ads that track you.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify limitations based on your geographic area.




Forward proxies can also be used in systems that provide centralized security as well as permission-based access, like at the workplace. All internet traffic can pass through an open forward proxy, administrators are able to restrict access to certain clients to the internet that is protected by a standard firewall. In lieu of having firewalls installed for the client layer which may include multiple computers with different configurations and users there is the option to have an firewall that is located in the front proxy layer.




Take note the forward proxy setting need to be manually configured for use however reverse proxies will be not considered by the client. Depending on whether your IP address the user is transmitted to the server where it originated via the forward proxy privacy and anonymity may be granted or hidden.




There are a variety of choices to be considered for forward proxy options:




Apache is a well-known open source web server, which provides forward-looking proxy features.


Nginx: Another popular open-source server for web hosting with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that utilizes an HTTP protocol. It's not the whole web server. Read our tutorial on how to install Squid proxy for private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante is a forward-looking proxy, which utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP to make it better to handle peer-to-peer traffic. It is also possible to look at how you can set up Dante proxy for connection to private networks in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as the web server that handles the incoming requests of customers on behalf of. The web server can be a single, or a number of servers. It may even be an application server such as Gunicorn. In all of these scenarios, the request for an application is received through the internet. Most of the time, the request would be sent directly to the web server, which will provide the information the user is seeking. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, and separates your web server from contact with the open internet.




From the viewpoint of the user's point of view, the process of using reverse proxy isn't different from communicating with Web server in direct contact. It's the same process and the client is unable to tell the difference. The client makes a request for the resource, which is followed by its receipt, without any extra configuration required by the end user.




Reverse proxies provide options like:




A centralized layer of security to guard the server.


The direction of traffic coming in is based on rules you decide to define.


New caching functionality has been added.




Although centralized security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy, reverse proxy adds this feature to just the layer of web servers, but not to the client layer. instead of being focused on upkeep of firewalls on the server level, which may contain many servers with different configurations, the majority of the firewall security is aimed on the reverse proxy level. Additionally, removing the responsibility of interacting with firewalls and communicating with clients who are far from web servers permits them to focus on serving the requirements of their clients.




In the case of multiple servers running through reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is also responsible to direct which requests will go to which servers. There could be multiple web servers providing the same content, each offering different kinds of services or a combination of the two. These servers can be using the HTTP protocol that is the standard web server, but can contain other protocols for applications servers such as FastCGI. It is also possible to set up reverse proxy servers to redirect users to a particular server based on the service requested or to adhere to certain guidelines regarding the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies benefit from their position on top of web servers, as they have the capability to store information. Massive static resources can be set up with caching policies to avoid hitting web servers on every request. Certain solutions allow you to serve static files directly without having to contact servers on the internet in any manner. Furthermore the reverse proxy is able to manage compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a well-known reverse proxy service. However, an equivalent feature available within the Apache web server, it has reverse proxy functions as an additional option that is accessible for Apache whereas Nginx was initially designed to and is focused on reverse proxy functionality.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Since "forward" along with "reverse" are associated with directionality, and false comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic These labels could be confusing since both types of proxies process requests and responses. In addition, the most effective method of separating between a both reverse and forward proxies is to study the requirements of the app that you're building.




A reverse proxy can be helpful when building a solution to serve web applications online. They are your servers when you interact with the internet.




Forward proxy is beneficial when they are placed in front of customers to facilitate your own usage or in a business setting. They are a representation of your customer's traffic when they interact via the internet.




The use case-based differentiation instead of focusing on standard naming conventions could help in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



The article clarified the meaning of a proxy is, and compared it to the two most common types that are forward and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a discussion of the beneficial attributes were used to identify forward proxies and reverse proxy. If you're looking to know more about implementation of proxies then you should check out our tutorial on how you can configure Nginx as reverse and web server proxy on Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 Server.



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