The term "proxy" is a reference to the idea of a proxy commonly known as proxy servers are software that serves as an intermediary between a server and client on the internet. Without the use of a proxy, users could make a request for an online server and the server would serve the requested resource directly to the user. Although this method is easy to grasp and implement, adding proxies offers advantages such as more performance and security, privacy, and so on. As a pass-through layer, the proxy acts as a security layer for the internet between clients and servers.

The general system of server hardware that is paired with the software for proxy installation is commonly known as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are generally considered to be software and specifically with respect to servers for web. We will present a summary of the two main types of proxies: that is forward proxy and reverse proxy. forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own usage scenario, which is often misinterpreted due to the similar terms.

This article will give you an idea of nature of proxies, as well as their subtypes are and the ways they can be useful in a range of configurations. If you go through this article, you'll discover the circumstances in which using proxies can be beneficial, and then determine the most suitable alternative between forward and reverse proxy for a particular scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy is also known by the name of the open proxy, acts as the client's representative who is trying to transmit an internet request to a source server. In this case every attempt to send requests from the user's side will be sent via forward proxy. Forward proxy in place of the client examines the request. Then, it will determine whether the client is permitted to send requests via this particular forward proxy. It will then orally reject a request and transfer it on to the source server. The client is not able to have direct connection to the internet. It is only able to connect to what the forward proxy permits it to connect to.

The primary reason for people for using forward proxy services is to improve privacy or security when using the internet. Forward proxy allows you to access the internet instead of a client, and in this process, it uses an alternative IP address to the IP address used by the client.

Depending on how it's been setup, and based on the way it's configured forward proxy could offer a variety of features that allow you to:

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  Beware of ad-tracker.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  You will be able to identify any limitations based on your geographic place of residence.
  
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Forward proxies are also utilized to secure systems that are centralized and access dependent on permissions, for instance in a workplace. If all internet traffic is routed through a common forward proxy layer an administrator might restrict access for just a small number of internet users and be filtered by an common firewall. Instead of setting up firewalls for the client layer which can be used by multiple computers with different kinds of environments, you can establish a firewall at the forward proxy layer.

Be aware that forward proxy servers require manual configuration to be utilized, whereas reverse proxies are able to remain unnoticed by clients. Based on the fact that your IP address a user is relayed back to the server that originated it through the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity can be granted or denied.

There are numerous options to consider for forward proxy services.

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  Apache An open source, well-known web server with forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Nginx is another widely-used open-source webserver which comes with forward proxy functions.
  
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  Squid: A free forward proxy which uses an HTTP protocol. It doesn't come with the entire web server. Check out our instructions on how to configure Squid proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante Forward proxy that utilizes the SOCKS protocol instead HTTP which allows it to be more suitable for applications such as peer-to-peer connections. You may also want to check out how to configure Dante proxy to permit private connections on Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as an agent for a web server, which handles requests from customers for its behalf. This server can represent either a single or multiple servers. Additionally, it could be an application server, like Gunicorn. In either case the request will be made through the internet generally. Typically, the request is directed directly to the web server hosting the information that the client requires of. A reverse proxy is a intermediary that isolates Web servers from any direct interactions with the public internet.

From the viewpoint from the client's viewpoint the procedure of using reverse proxy is not different than working with the server on its own. It's the exact same thing, however the client is unable to see the distinction. The client requests the resource, and is then provided with it, without any additional configuration needed from the user.

Reverse proxies provide features like:

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  The web server is secured centrally.
  
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  Traffic coming into your site is routed by rules you have set.
  
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  A new feature to cache has been added.
  
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While centralized security is a benefit offered by both reverse and forward proxy servers. However, reverse proxies provide this benefit only to the server layer but not the client layer. Instead of focusing on the maintenance of firewalls at the server layer that may contain several servers, each with various configurations, the bulk of firewall security is concentrated at the reverse proxy level. Additionally, removing the burden of interacting with firewalls and interacting to client requests off web servers enables the firewall to focus on serving the requirements of their customers.

In the event that there's multiple servers hosted within a reverse proxy the reverse proxy is also accountable for the way requests are routed through the server that is hosting them. Multiple web servers could be providing the same service, offering different types of resource or a combination of both. They may employ the HTTP protocol to serve as an ordinary web server but can also include applications server protocols like FastCGI. It is also possible to set up reverse proxy settings to send users to specific servers based on the resource requested or to follow certain guidelines for traffic load.

Reverse proxies also gain by their positioning before web servers by offering caching capabilities. Large static assets may be configured using caching rules to prevent hitting web servers each time you request. There are solutions that permit you to directly serve static files without having to connect to the web server in any way. Additionally, reverse proxy is able to compress these assets.

The well-known Nginx web server also functions as a powerful reverse proxy service. While Apache can also be a reverse proxy service however, the Apache web server is fitted with reverse proxy functionality which is an additional feature that is available for Apache but Nginx was originally designed to specifically focus on reverse proxy features.

The distinction is between Forward Proxy and Reverse Proxy Use Cases

Since "forward" as well as "reverse" come with connotations of directionality as well as misleading distinctions between "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic, these labels can be confusing because both kinds of proxies handle both requests as well as responses. The best way to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy is to study the requirements of the program you're developing.

A reverse proxy is useful when you're developing a solution to deliver web-based applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers whenever you connect to the internet.

Forward proxy is beneficial when they are used in front of customers for your personal use or in an office setting. They act as your client's proxy for interactions on the internet.

Distinguishing by use case instead of focusing solely on common naming conventions can assist you in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

This article explains what a proxy is with two types: forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Practical examples of use as well as a look at the advantageous features were used to distinguish forward proxies and reverse proxies. If you're looking to know more about proxy servers, you should look over our guide on how you can configure Nginx as a reverse proxy using Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.