A proxy or proxy server is a program which acts as an intermediary between a client and server on the internet. Without proxy, a user would send a request for resources directly the server, and the server would serve direct to the client. This method is simple to grasp and use but adding proxies offers advantages in the form of greater performance, privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of moving through, proxies serve as a guardian for the internet between servers and clients.




In general, the combination of server hardware and the software to install proxy servers is usually called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers which are generally described as software, as well as those that are employed together with web servers. We will give a synopsis of the two major kinds of proxy servers, namely they are forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each has its own usage, which can be confusing due to the same terminology.




This article will give you an understanding of how proxies work and what their subtypes are, and their utility in a variety of configurations. Through the article you will be aware of how to determine the situations that a proxy can be advantageous, and decide on the most appropriate option to use a forward or reverse proxy, based on the situation.



Understanding Forward Proxies



Forward proxy, also known in the context of the open proxy acts as a representative for a client who attempts to connect online to a source server. In this case, the whole request sent by the client will rather be directed by the forward-proxy. A forward-proxy, acting in lieu of the user, will scrutinize the request. It will first determine whether the client has been granted permission to send requests via this particular forward proxy. It will then reject an demand and then forward the request to an original server. The client is not able to have direct connection for the web. It is able to access only what the forward proxy allows the client to connect.




One of the most common uses for forward proxy is increased privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy is connected to the internet instead of a client, and as a result it is using an alternative IP address from that of the initial IP address of the client.




Based on the way it was set up in accordance with the configuration forward proxy can offer a variety of features dependent on the way it's configured, which allows you to:




Avoid ad tracking.


Circumvent surveillance.


Identify restrictions based on the location you are in.




Forward proxies also are used in systems of centralized security and permission based access, for instance, in workplaces. When all internet traffic is routed through an open forward proxy layer, the administrator can restrict access to only a small group of users to the internet, which is filtered by a common firewall. Instead of having firewalls in place for the client layer which may comprise several devices with different environments and users there is the possibility to have an firewall that is located in the front proxy layer.




It is crucial to keep in mind the fact that forward proxy servers have to be manually configured for be utilized, whereas reverse proxy servers may be hidden from clients. Based on the type of IP address of the client, it will be passed to the server which created it through the forward proxy privacy and security may be granted or left in the dark.




There are many choices to think about for forward proxies:




Apache: A popular open-source web server offering forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx is another well-known open-source web server that has forward proxy capabilities.


Squid: An open-source forward proxy that utilizes the HTTP protocol. It doesn't provide a complete web server application. We have instructions on how to configure Squid proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante Forward Proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP, making it better suited to use in instances like peer-to-peer communication. It is also possible to discover how to set up the Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary for web servers that handle any requests made by clients on behalf of. The web server could consist of a single server, or multiple servers. It could also include an application server, such as Gunicorn. In either scenario the request comes from an internet user in general. The majority of the time requests will get sent directly to the web server that has all the resources the client requires. However reverse proxy functions as an intermediary, and separates Web servers and their direct interaction with the internet.




From a consumer's point of the consumer's perspective, working with reverse proxy isn't any different than interacting with an online server direct. It's pretty much the same however the user cannot discern the distinction. The client makes a request for the resource, and receives it without additional configuration needed to be done by the customer.




Reverse proxies offer features like:




A centralized layer of security to protect the server.


Controlling traffic inbound based on rules you can create.


A new feature to cache is now available.




While centralized security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxies, reverse proxies provide this feature only to the server layer and not to the client layer. instead of maintaining firewalls at Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers and different configurations, the bulk of firewall security is targeted at the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, taking the burden of communicating with firewalls and communicating with requests from clients outside of web servers enables the firewall to focus on meeting the requirements of their clients.




In the case of several servers running in a reverse proxy it also determines which requests are sent to which servers. There are many web servers running from the same host and serving different kinds of resources or a combination of both. These servers utilize the HTTP protocol, which is similar to a traditional web server. However, they can be equipped with other protocols for application servers like FastCGI. It is possible to configure reverse proxy settings to direct the clients to specific servers depending on the kind of resource they're searching for, or adhere to certain rules for traffic load.




Reverse proxies are also able to gain advantage from their position before web servers, by providing caching functions. Large static assets are able to be configured with caching rules to avoid having to contact web servers every time you request. Some solutions offering an option to deliver static files directly without having to connect to the web server for even one time. Furthermore, the reverse proxy can manage compression of these files.




The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a reliable reverse proxy service. It is true it's true Apache web server is equipped with a reverse proxy, it is an additional option for Apache however Nginx was initially designed for and focuses on the reverse proxy feature.



Differentiating Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use Examples



Since "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with the notion of directionality and inaccurate comparisons with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic and can be confusing since both types of proxy services process requests and responses. An alternative approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy service is to consider the requirements of the application that you're developing.




Reverse proxy can be useful in the case of creating a solution for offering web-based solutions on the internet. They act as your servers when you interact with the Internet.




Forward proxy software is advantageous when put in front of a client for personal use as well as in an office environment. They represent your clients when you connect to the internet.




A case-based distinction instead of focusing solely on commonly used naming conventions can help in avoiding confusion.



Conclusion



This article explains what a proxy is along with two kinds: forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical applications and an examination of beneficial features were used to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy. If you're interested in exploring the ways to implement proxies we recommend you learn how to configure Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy with Apache running the Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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