A proxy is also known as an application called a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between a client and server on the internet. Without a proxy, a user could submit a request to resources directly to a server and servers would then serve requests directly for the resource requested by the client. While this is a simple procedure to understand and utilize, the addition of proxies can result in benefits like enhanced performance as well as privacy, security and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through, proxies serve as a security barrier on the internet between servers and clients.

Generally speaking, the combined package of server hardware with the software for proxy installation is typically referred as proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are usually regarded as software, as well as in the context of web servers. The article will provide a description of the two main types that are forward proxy and a reverse proxy. Each type has a distinct use case, often confused because of the resemblance to the namesake convention.

This article will provide you with an idea of the different types of proxy services and what their subtypes are, and how they can be helpful for setups that are common. After reading the article carefully, you'll to recognize situations where it's advantageous to use proxy services and make the right choice between forward and reverse proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy, also known in the context of or an open proxy serves as the agent of the client, in making an internet request to an the server which made it. In this situation the attempts to make requests from the user are instead routed direct to the forward proxy. In this case the forward proxy, on behalf of the client will review the request. It will first decide if this client is able to make requests using this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either refuse requests or redirect it to the original server. The client is not able to have directly access to internet. It is only able to access what the forward proxy allows for it to link to.

The primary reason people make use of forward proxy servers is to improve privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy utilizes the internet in lieu of a client on its own, and during this manner it could make use of an alternative IP address to the original IP address that is used by the client.

Based on the way it's set up the forward proxy will offer a variety of features and let you:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
  
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  Find restrictions based on the your location.
  
  

Forward proxies may also be utilized in systems that provide centralized security and access that is based upon permissions, like in workplaces. If all internet traffic is routed through an open forward proxy layer, an administrator can allow only a handful of users access to the internet through a common firewall. Instead of establishing firewalls on the client layer, that could include a variety of machines with different settings and users, there is a way to set up an firewall installed on an intermediary layer.

Be aware that forward proxy servers require manual setup for them to be used and reverse proxies are able to be ignored by clients. Based on the type of IP address of a client is transmitted to the origin server through the forward proxy, security and privacy can be granted or not.

There are many options to consider for forward proxies.

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  Apache is an incredibly well-known open source web server, which provides forward proxy functions.
  
  
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  Nginx: Another popular open-source webserver that includes forward proxy functionality.
  
  
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  Squid: A free and open source forward proxy which uses it's HTTP protocol. It does not come with an an entire Web server software. Learn more from our guide on how to set up Squid proxy to enable private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that operates the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP in order to be better suitable for situations such as with peer-to-peer traffic. It is also possible to understand how to set up a Dante proxy to permit private connections to Ubuntu 20.04
  
  

Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as an agent for a web server that handles incoming requests from clients on behalf. This web server may include an individual server or a number of servers. It could also serve as an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any of these situations the request will be made by a user through the internet at large. The majority of the time the request is made directly to the website server that hosts the information that the client is requesting. Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary to shield Web server from direct contact with the web's public.

From a consumer's point the client's point of view the use of a reverse proxy is no any different from working with the Web server directly. It's basically the same thing, however the client isn't able to distinguish between the two. Client requests the resource, and it then gets it without any further configuration required from the user.

Reverse proxies provide features like:

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  A central layer of security that guards the server.
  
  
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  Controlling traffic that is inbound according to rules that you can set up.
  
  
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  New functionality added for caching.
  
  

Although central security is a benefit for both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxy servers provide this feature to that layer on the webserver and not to the client layer. Instead of coordinating firewalls at the server level, which could contain multiple servers with various configurations, the majority of security for firewalls is centered on the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, removing the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls as well as interfacing with client requests via web servers allows firewalls to focus on supplying the necessary resources.

In the event of multiple servers connected to a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy is responsible for directing which requests are directed to which server. There may be several web servers offering identical content, supplying different types of services or a mix of both. These servers could be running the HTTP protocol exactly the same way as an ordinary web server. However, they can also be equipped with application server protocols such as FastCGI. It is possible to configure reverse proxy servers to route visitors to a particular server based on the service they require or to follow certain guidelines for traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their position ahead of web servers, by offering the ability to cache data. Massive static resources can be configured using caching rules to prevent having to contact web servers every time you request. There are some solutions allowing you to serve static content directly without having to connect to the web server even once. Additionally the reverse proxy is able to deal with the compression for these files.

The renowned Nginx web server is also used as a reliable reverse proxy option. Although Apache is also a reverse proxy option, it is a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server also comes outfitted with a reverse proxy option as an added option for Apache unlike Nginx was originally designed to and focuses on reverse proxy features.

Differentiating Forward Proxy from reverse Proxy Use Situations

Due to the fact that "forward" as well as "reverse" have connotations of directionality and misleading comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic These labels can be confusing as both kinds of proxies manage the process of responding to requests. The best method to differentiate between reverse and forward proxies is to examine the needs of the app you're developing.

Reverse proxy is an effective tool to use when designing a solution to deliver web-based applications over the internet. They represent your web servers every time you use the internet.

A forward proxy is helpful when it is displayed in front of clients for your personal use as well as in an official context. They represent the client's online traffic in any internet-based interaction.

The practice of separating by use case rather than using the same names will help in avoidance of confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains the meaning of a proxy, with two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical application scenarios as well as an exploration of beneficial attributes were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxy. If you're interested in exploring implementation of proxies we recommend you follow our tutorial on how to set up Nginx as an internet server and reverse proxy to Apache using the Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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