It is an proxy, also called a proxy server. It's a software that serves in the role of a intermediary between client and server over the internet. Without a proxy, a client can make a request for or resource to the server directly and then the server would deliver the resource directly at the request of the customer. While this approach is straightforward to comprehend and implement the addition of proxies could provide advantages in the form of increased performance as well as privacy, security and many more. As a pass-through layer, a proxy is a security guardian of the internet between clients and servers.




The general consensus is that the combination of server hardware and software to install proxy servers is often referred too by the name of proxy servers. This article will be focusing on proxy servers which are generally classified as software as well as in the context of web servers. There will be a discussion of the two main types that are forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Every one has its unique usage scenario, which is often not understood due to the similar terms.




This article will give you an understanding of what proxies are and what their subtypes are and how they operate in the most common configurations. After reading this article, you'll be able to identify the scenarios in which you can benefit from a proxy and then choose the best option between forward and reverse proxy for each scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy, also referred to in the form of an open proxy is the agent of a client who wishes to send a request via the internet to an source server. In this scenario, the entire request sent by the user is instead transferred to the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting as a substitute for the client will scrutinize the request. The first step is to determine whether the client is permitted to accept requests via this particular forward proxy. The client then decides if it wants to reject an request and forward it to its origin server. The client isn't capable of having direct access to the internet. It can access only what forward proxy allows the client to access.




A popular use for forward proxy servers is to obtain more privacy or security online. A forward proxy is able to connect to the internet instead of a client and, in this way it can use a different IP address than the client's original IP address.




Based on the way it has been configured, the forward proxy can provide various functions based upon the way it has been configured, which allows you to:




Stay clear of tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


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




Forward proxies are also used for security systems that are centralized and permission-based access such as in a workplace. Every internet connection can go via the open forward proxy, an administrator can grant just a few users access to the internet using a common firewall. Instead of creating security firewalls on the server layer, that could include a variety of machines that have different settings and users A firewall could be set up at an intermediate layer of forward proxy.




It is crucial to keep in mind that forward proxies need to be set up manually to be used, however reverse proxies remain undetected by users. Based on the fact that the IP address of a user is sent to the server from which it originated by forward proxy privacy and anonymity might be granted or unnoticed.




There are a myriad of possibilities to look into forward proxy options




Apache: A popular open-source webserver that offers forward-looking proxy services.


Nginx is a popular open-source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid is an open-source forward proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. It doesn't come with an all-inclusive web server application. Check out our tutorial on installing Squid proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it more suited for cases like peer-to-peer communication. You may also want to investigate how to set up a Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy is the web server which takes care of requests from clients on its behalf. The web server may serve as a one server or as a set of servers. Additionally, it can serve like an app server such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations, the request is made by an internet-connected user. Typically, the request is directly sent to the server that contains the resources the user is requesting. In contrast, a reverse proxy works as an intermediary and shields it from direct contact with the open internet.




From the viewpoint of the client, interacting via reverse proxy isn't different from connecting to your webserver directly. It's functionally identical and the user is unable to tell the distinction. The client makes requests for resources and then receiving it with no further configuration from the user.




Reverse proxies offer features like:




Security centralized for web servers.


The sending of traffic according to rules that you can define.


Additional functionality for caching.




Although centralized security is a benefit for both forward and reverse proxy servers. However, reverse proxies offer this benefit to those who use the server layer but not to the layer that clients use. Instead of having to maintain firewalls at the web server layer which can contain multiple servers with various configurations, the majority of the firewall security can be centered at the reverse proxy layer. Additionally eliminating the hassle of dealing with firewalls and interfacing with requests coming from clients far from web servers lets them concentrate on serving resources.




If there are multiple servers operating through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also handles how requests are routed which server. There may be several web servers that provide the same service, each providing different kinds of resources, or a combination of the two. They may use the HTTP protocol as a conventional web server, however, they might also include applications server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to route users to specific servers based on the resource they request or to adhere to specific rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies also profit by their position on top of web servers, as they provide caching functionality. Large static assets can be configured by using caching rules to stop hitting web servers with each request, with certain solutions allowing you to provide static files directly, without connecting to the web server once. Furthermore, the reverse proxy can handle compression of these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server is also a highly popular reverse proxy service. While Apache is also a reverse proxy option, the Apache web server does have a reverse proxy functionality as an additional option to Apache and Nginx was originally designed for and was designed with a focus on reverse proxy capabilities.



Differentiating Forward and Reverse Proxy Use Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Utilization



Because "forward" and "reverse" come with connotations of directionality and false distinctions between "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic, these labels can confuse since both kinds of proxy handle responses and requests. Better yet, the best method of separating between forward and reverse proxy is to analyze the requirements of the app you're creating.




Reverse proxy is an essential aspect when designing a solution to host web-based applications via the internet. They are your web servers for any interaction on the internet.




A forward proxy is useful when it is used before clients for personal usage, or even in a workplace. They are your client's proxy for any interaction on the internet.




Differentiating by use case rather than focusing solely on common name conventions can make it easier to avoid confusion.



Conclusion



The article clarified the definition of a proxy and the two main types being the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical scenarios for using them as well as a discussion of most effective features were employed to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you're keen to learn more about the possibilities of proxies then you should check out our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy using Apache in Ubuntu 20.04 Server. Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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