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An proxy often referred to as proxy servers is software that functions as an intermediary between client and server on the internet. Without a proxy, a user will send a request for an item directly to a server and the server will deliver the resource directly to the client. While this is a simple method to comprehend and implement the addition of proxy servers can offer advantages in terms improved performance security, privacy, and much more. In addition to providing a layer of security they also serve as a security guardian for the internet between servers and clients.

The consensus is that the server hardware along with installed proxy software are also known as proxy servers. However, this article will concentrate on proxies which are usually classified as software and within the case of web servers. We will provide a brief overview of the two primary types of proxies, which include a forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own use that can cause confusion due to a similar naming convention.

This article will provide you with an understanding of nature of proxies and what subtypes they are and how they function in common configurations. By reading this article, you'll learn to identify the scenarios in which it is beneficial to utilize a proxy and decide on the appropriate choice between forward proxy and reverse proxy for any scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

In the same way, a forward proxy sometimes referred to as an open proxy is a proxy of a customer who wishes to send an internet request to an source server. In this situation, any attempt to send requests from the client is instead routed directly via the forward proxy. This forward proxy in instead of the user will examine the request. The first step is to determine if the client is authorized to accept requests from this particular forward proxy. It will then decide if it is authorized to refuse a request or send it back to the server that originally received it. The client is not able to have direct access to the internet. It can only access what the forward proxy grants the client access.

The most common reason to use forward proxies is to gain greater privacy or security when surfing the internet. A forward proxy can be used to connect to the internet in place of a client, and in this manner it could use an IP address that is different from the IP address originally utilized by the client.

Depending on how they've been configured in the past, forward proxy servers can give you a variety of options and allow you to:

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  Avoid ad tracking.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  You will be able to identify any restrictions based upon your geographic place of residence.
  
  

Forward proxies are also employed in systems that offer central security and permission-based access, for example, at work. When all traffic on the internet passes through an open forward proxy layer administrators are able to restrict access to specific clients on the internet and filter it through a standard firewall. Instead of putting firewalls in place for the client layer which may comprise a range of computers with different environments and users, the firewall could be placed within the forward proxy layer.

Note that the forward proxy setting need to be manually configured for use to function, while reverse proxy settings can be disregarded by clients. Depending on whether the IP address of a client is passed to the original server via the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity could be granted or not.

There are a variety of options to take into consideration for forward proxies:

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  Apache The Apache is a popular open-source web server that has forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another renowned open-source webserver with forward proxy features.
  
  
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  Squid is a free forward proxy that uses the HTTP protocol. This doesn't offer an entire web server solution. Check out our step-by-step guide to set up Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante forward proxy that runs using the SOCKS protocol, instead of HTTP which makes it better suitable for situations like peer-to-topeer traffic. It is also possible to look at how you can install a Dante proxy for private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy serves as a proxy for web servers that handle any requests that come in from clients. Web servers can comprise one or more servers. Additionally, it can be used as an application server like Gunicorn. In any of these situations, the request for an application comes from a user via the internet in general. In most cases the request will be sent directly to the web server along with the information the client wants. Reverse proxy, however, works as an intermediary, shielding Web servers from direct interaction with the internet's public.

From a consumer's point of view that is a user's viewpoint, interfacing with a reverse proxy is identical to working with direct connections to an internet server. It's exactly the same however the client is unable to be able to discern the difference. The client requests the resource, and is then provided with it, without any additional configuration needed by the client.

Reverse proxies provide features such as:

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  Centrally secured for Web Server Layer.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic coming inbound according to rules you can design.
  
  
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  The caching function has been added to the app.
  
  

While centralized security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxy providers offer this feature only to the server layer, and only the layer that clients use. Instead of having firewalls running at the web server layer that could contain multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of firewall security can be targeted at the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, the elimination of the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls and also interacting with clients' requests without the need for web servers enables them to concentrate on providing the requirements of their clients.

In the event that there's multiple servers being hosted by a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is also responsible for directing which requests go to the server. There could be multiple web servers offering the same content, offering various types of resources or a combination of both. They can use the HTTP protocol similar to an ordinary web server however they could also include other protocols for application servers such as FastCGI. You can also set up reverse proxy to direct clients to specific servers based upon the requested resource or to follow specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also make use of their position before web servers by delivering the ability to cache. Large static assets can be configured using caching rules to prevent hitting web servers with every request. There are solutions even allowing the server to serve static assets directly without having to connect to the web server even once. Furthermore, the reverse proxy can handle compression of these assets.

The popular Nginx web server can also function as a well-known reverse proxy option. Although Apache is also a reverse proxy solution, it is not a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server also comes complete with the reverse proxy feature, it is an additional feature of Apache while Nginx was originally designed to and is focused on its reverse proxy feature.

Differentiating Forward Proxy and reverse Proxy Use Examples

Because "forward" and "reverse" have a connotation of directionality, as well as false comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic the labels could be confusing as both types of proxies deal with requests and responses. A better approach to differentiate between forward and reverse proxy is to look at the specifications of the application you're building.

A reverse proxy could be beneficial when creating a web-based applications over the internet. They serve as your web servers whenever you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is placed in front of clients for personal use or within an office environment. They represent your clients when you interact with the internet.

The use of case-based differentiation instead of focusing solely on commonly used naming conventions can help in avoidance of confusion.

Conclusion

The article clarified the meaning of a proxy with the two types that are forward and reverse proxy. Practical applications and a discussion of beneficial characteristics were employed to identify between forward and reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the process of implementing proxies you can check out our tutorial on how to configure Nginx as a web server and reverse proxy with Apache in the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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