An proxy is also referred to as proxy server software that serves in the role of a mediator client and server via the internet. Without an intermediary, a customer would make an inquiry directly to the server and the server would serve the requested resource directly at the request of the customer. While this process is simple to grasp and use using proxies, it can provide benefits such as more performance and privacy, and many more. In addition to providing a layer of security, proxies act as a security guardian of the internet between users and servers.




In general, the packaged server hardware that includes proxy software is usually referred to as proxy servers. This article will be focusing on proxies traditionally defined as software, and also in the context of web servers. We will present a summary of the two primary types: one is forward proxy and the other being a forward proxy and the other being a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has a different usage, which may be confusing due to the identical name-based convention.




This article will provide readers with the information on the different types of proxy services, their subtypes, and ways in which they can be beneficial for common setups. In this article, you'll be in a position to recognize the scenarios where you could benefit from a proxy. You can also choose the right solution between reverse and forward proxy for any scenario.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known as an open proxy, acts as the agent of a client who wants to forward requests via the internet to a server that originated it. In this scenario it is the scenario that all requests made by the client are instead forwarded direct into the forward proxy. This forward proxy acting on behalf on behalf of client take a look into the request. At first, it will determine if the client is authorized to submit requests through this specific forward proxy. It will then either reject requests or redirect it to the server that originated it. The client isn't capable of having an internet connection directly. it can only be able to access the data that forward-proxy permits its connection to.




A popular use for forward proxy is the need for more privacy or security on the internet. Forward proxy can access the internet using the client. In this manner, it utilizes another IP address, in contrast to your client's IP address.




Depending on how it's been configured, based on the way it has been configured forward proxy can provide a variety of functions in addition to the ability to:




Beware of ads-trackers.


Circumvent surveillance.


You can spot limitations based on your location.




Forward proxies are also utilized in systems of central security and access is based on permissions, such as, in a workplace. If all internet traffic is routed by an open forward proxy an administrator could restrict access to only certain users on the internet using a common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls for the client layer that can include multiple machines with different configurations and users A firewall could be installed on the forward proxy layer.




Remember that forward proxy servers must be manually set up to work the reverse proxy, while forward proxies may be ignored by the client. Based on the kind of IP address a client is transferred to the server that originated it via forward proxy privacy and anonymity might be granted or left transparent.




There are many options to investigate for forward proxies:




Apache: A popular open-source webserver that provides forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx: Another renowned open-source webserver with forward proxy capability.


Squid: An open-source forward proxy using the HTTP protocol. Squid doesn't come with a complete web server application. We have instructions for setting up Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP, making it more suitable for use cases like peer-topeer communication. You could also find out how to configure Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



Reverse proxy functions acting as an intermediary for the web server. It manages incoming requests from clients in its place. The web server could serve as a single server or multiple servers. Furthermore, it could serve as an app server such as Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios, a request would come from a user of the internet in general. Most of the time the request will be sent directly to the web server which has all the resources that the user is would be looking for. However, a reverse proxy functions as an intermediary that shields the webserver from direct contact with the open internet.




From an individual or user's point of view reverse proxy's process reverse proxy is not any different than working with a website server in direct contact. It's basically the same, but the client is unable to discern the distinction. The client sends the request to access a resource, which is then followed by the receipt of it, with no additional configuration needed by the client.




Reverse proxy proxies can provide some features, including:




Security centralized for web servers.


Directing incoming traffic using rules that you can set up.


The caching function is now available to users.




While central security is a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy solutions, reverse proxies give this benefit to Web layer servers and not to the layer that clients use. Instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers, which can include multiple servers with different configurations, the majority of firewall security is focused on the reverse proxy layer. In addition, getting rid of the necessity to interface with a firewall and interacting with requests made by clients through web servers allows them to concentrate on delivering resources.




If there are multiple servers operating behind a reverse proxy, it also manages the way requests are routed to which server. Many web servers may be offering the identical service, but each one serving different types of resources, or some combination of both. These servers could use the HTTP protocol to function as a standard web server, however, they may also use protocols for application servers like FastCGI. It is possible to set up a reverse proxy to route customers to a specific server based on the resource being requested, or to observe certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies also benefit from their placement before web servers due to the power of caching. Massive static resources can be configured by caching rules so that they avoid having to contact web servers every time they need to make a request. There are solutions providing the possibility of serving directly static assets, without needing to connect to a web server at all. In addition, the reverse proxy can handle compressing these assets.




The well-known Nginx web server is an efficient reverse proxy solution. You can also use the Apache web server also includes reverse proxy capabilities as an additional function of Apache in contrast to Nginx was originally designed to and focuses on the reverse proxy function.



The difference between Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use. The difference between Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Utilization



Since "forward" or "reverse" have connotations that refer to directionality, and false comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic, the labels can be confusing because both types of proxies are able to handle requests as well as respond. Instead, a better way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to consider the needs of the application you're developing.




A reverse proxy is useful when you're developing an application that can serve web applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers in any interactions on the web.




Forward proxy software is useful when they are they are used to block client traffic for your private use, or in a work setting. They can be used to represent your client's internet traffic, for any online interaction.




Utilizing case-based differentiation instead of focusing on the identical naming conventions will make it easier to avoid confusion.



Conclusion



In this article, we clarified the definition of a proxy with the two primary types of them being the forward and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and a look at positive characteristics were utilized in defining forward proxy as well as reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about how proxies are implemented check out our guide on how to set up Nginx in a reverse proxy and internet-based server for Apache on one Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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