The term "proxy" refers to a proxy or proxy server. A proxy server is a software that sits in the middle between client and a server on the internet. Without a proxy, the client could make a request for a resource straight to the server and it would deliver the requested resource directly back to the user. It is easy to understand and implement. the addition of proxies offers advantages in the form of increased efficiency, privacy, security as well as many other benefits. As a layer of pass-through, proxies are a way to secure the internet between servers and clients.




The general combination of server hardware and installed proxy software is also commonly described as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers which are generally described as software, as well as the ones used together with web servers. The article will provide details of the two major kinds, namely the forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own usage that can cause confusion due to the use of overlapping terms.




This article will provide an idea of the nature of proxies and their subtypes are and also their significance in normal configurations. If you go through this article, you'll be able to identify scenarios in which an effective proxy is useful, and choose the best option for you between forward and reverse proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



In other words forward proxy, also referred to as or an open proxy is an agent for a user who is trying to send the request online an origin server. In this scenario, every attempt to send requests made by the client will rather be sent through an forward proxy. In this case the forward proxy, acting in the client's stead, will look into the request. At first, it will decide whether clients are authorized make requests to this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either deny requests or redirect them to their origin server. The client does not have an internet connection directly It has access only to what the forward proxy permits it to connect to.




The most common reason to use forward proxies is for more privacy or security online. Forward proxy accesses the internet for the individual client. And in this way it can make use of an IP address distinct from the original IP of the client.




Based on the way it's setup depending on the way it's set up, forward proxy could perform a variety of functions as well as the capability to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can identify restrictions based upon your location.




Forward proxies also are used in systems to provide central security and access granted on a permission basis, like, in a workplace. If all internet traffic flows through an open forward proxy layer, administrators can restrict only a small number of users online access, that is blocked by a common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls for the client layer, which may be used by multiple computer that have different configurations, users and environments the firewall can be put in this forward proxy layer.




Be aware the fact that forward proxy servers must be manually configured before they can be used and reverse proxies can be ignored by clients. Depending on whether an IP address from the user is transferred to the server that is being used by the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity may be granted or kept secret.




There are a variety of possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxy options.




Apache The Apache is a well-known open-source web server that provides forward proxy features.


Nginx: Another renowned open-source web server with forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy utilizing an HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer the complete Web server platform. You can check out our guide on the best method of installing Squid proxy for private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante forward proxy that runs the SOCKS protocol, instead of HTTP which makes it more suited for scenarios such as peer-to-peer communication. You can also research how to configure Dante proxy for secure connections within Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions to act as an agent of a web server and takes care of incoming requests from clients on behalf of the server. The web server may function as a single server, or as a series of servers. It can also comprise an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations, a request could come from a user on the internet at large. In most cases, the request will be sent directly to the web server that holds the data the user is seeking. Contrarily, a reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, separating the web server from direct interaction with the internet's open.




From the perspective of the client, interfacing via reverse proxy doesn't differ than interacting with an internet server direct. It's the same thing but clients aren't able to tell the distinction. The client makes a request for an item and receives it, without any additional configuration needed for the customer.




Reverse proxy providers provide features like:




Centralized security for web servers.


The direction of traffic coming in is according to rules that you can set up.


Additional functions for caching.




While central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy, reverse proxies add this feature only to the layer on the webserver and not the client layer. instead of the maintenance of firewalls on the server level, that could include several servers that have various configurations, the bulk of firewall security is concentrated on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls as well as communicating requests from clients off web servers allows the firewall to focus on providing services.




In the event of multiple servers that are running in a reverse proxy the reverse proxy may be also in charge of directing which requests are directed to which servers. Multiple web servers could be operating from the same host, each providing different kinds of services or a mix of the two. The servers employ an HTTP protocol to perform the role of a normal web server. However, they can be equipped with application server protocols like FastCGI. It is possible to set up a reverse proxy to route the clients to specific servers based on the resource requested, or to adhere to certain rules regarding the load of traffic.




Reverse proxies also have the ability to benefit from their location prior to web servers using caching functions. Massive static resources can be set up with caching policy to prevent hitting web servers every request, with certain options that let you serve static content directly, without needing to connect to the web server in any way. Furthermore, the reverse proxy is capable of compressing these assets.




The popular Nginx web server also functions as a powerful reverse proxy option. Even though Apache is also a reverse proxy solution, this Apache web server also has reverse proxy functions, which is an additional option for Apache and Nginx was designed initially for and focuses on reverse proxy capabilities.



Distinguishing Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Cases



Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and false comparisons with "incoming" or "outgoing" traffic, the labels could be confusing, because both types of proxies are able to handle requests as well as respond. In addition, the most effective method of separating both forward and reverse proxy services is to consider the requirements of the application that you're developing.




A reverse proxy can be useful when you are creating an option to host websites on the internet. They serve as your web servers in any interactions through the Internet.




A forward proxy is useful when presented to customers for your personal use or even in a corporate setting. They represent your clients for any interaction on the internet.




The use case-based differentiation instead of focusing solely on common naming conventions will help you in avoidance of confusion.



Conclusion



This article will explain what is a "proxy" is and the two main types being the reverse proxy and forward proxy. Practical scenarios for its use as well as an examination of the advantageous features were utilized to differentiate different types of proxies that are reverse and forward. If you're looking for ways to set up proxies, read our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as an HTTP server and reverse proxy to Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 Server.



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