A proxy is also referred to an application called a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between a client and server via the internet. Without proxy servers, users could submit a request to resources directly to a server, and servers would serve the requested resource directly to the user. Although this may be a straightforward process to grasp and use proxy servers can provide benefits like improved performance, privacy, security, and much more. As a pass-through layer proxy servers act as a gatekeeper of the internet between servers and clients.

In general, the integrated package of server hardware with the software for proxy installation is typically called proxy servers. This article will concentrate on proxy servers that are generally referred to as software as when referring to web servers. The article will provide details of the two main types that are forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Each type has a different use case, often confused due to the similar namesake convention.

This article will provide you with an idea of different types of proxy services and what their subtypes are, and how they can be beneficial for the common setups. After reading this article, you'll be able understand the situations when it's beneficial to utilize the proxy service and determine the right choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy, in any situation.

Understanding Forward Proxies

The forward proxy, also known by the name of an open proxy acts as the agent of the client, trying to send an internet request to an the server that originated it. In this case the attempts to make requests made by the user are instead sent straight to the forward proxy. In this scenario, the forward proxy on behalf of the client will review the request. It will first decide if the client can make requests via this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect it to the server it originated from. The client isn't allowed directly access to internet. It has access to only what the forward proxy allows it to connect to.

The primary reason for people to utilize forward proxy services is to improve privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy uses the internet to replace an individual client, and, in doing so, it may make use of an alternative IP address in place of the primary IP address of the client.

Based on the way it's setup, forward proxy may provide a variety of functions and permit you to:

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  Stay clear of tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Find restrictions based on the your location.
  
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Forward proxies may also be employed in systems that offer centralized security and access that is based on permissions, such as in a workplace. If all traffic on the internet flows through a common forward proxy layer, the administrator is able to permit only a few clients connection to internet through an common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls on the client layer, that could include a variety of machines with different settings and users, it is possible to have 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 sent to the source server via forward proxy privacy and security may be granted or kept in the dark.

There are a number of options to consider for forward proxy options:

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  Apache is an incredibly well-known open source web server that provides forward proxy features.
  
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  Nginx: Another popular open-source webserver that includes forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Squid: A free and open source forward proxy which uses an HTTP protocol. The option does not include the entire Web server software. We have a tutorial on how you can install Squid proxy to enable private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante is a forward proxy that uses using the SOCKS protocol in place of HTTP in order to be more suited for cases such as peer-to-peer communication. You may also want to understand how to set up a Dante proxy that allows private connections in Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

A reverse proxy functions as an agent for a web server that handles any requests that come in from clients on behalf of. This web server may include an individual server or a number of servers. It could also serve as an application server, like Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios a request could come from a user via the internet in general. In the majority of cases, this request is sent directly to the server hosting the information the client is requesting. A reverse proxy is a intermediary to separate Web servers from direct interaction with the web's public.

From a consumer's point view from a client's perspective using a reverse proxy is no any different from working with Web server in direct contact. It's functionally the same but the client isn't able to distinguish between the two. The 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 inbound based on rules that you can set up.
  
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  New functionality added for caching.
  
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While central security is an advantage of both reverse and forward proxy servers, reverse proxies offer this feature only to the layer of the webserver and not to the client layer. Instead of coordinating firewalls on the server level which may comprise multiple servers with various configurations, the majority of firewall security is placed upon the reverse proxy. Furthermore, the elimination of the responsibility of interacting with firewalls as well as interfacing with client requests via web servers allows firewalls to focus on supplying the necessary resources.

In the case of multiple servers in a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy takes care of directing which requests are directed to which server. There may be multiple web servers providing identical content, supplying different types of services or a mix of both. They could use the HTTP protocol similar to the traditional web server. However, they can also be equipped with protocol for application servers like FastCGI. There is the possibility to set up a reverse proxy to send visitors to a particular server based on the service being requested or to comply with specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxies can also benefit from their position prior to web servers through the capability of storing data. Large static assets can be created with caching rules in order to avoid needing to connect with web servers for every request. There are some solutions allowing you to directly serve static assets without having to contact the server once. In addition the reverse proxy is able to manage compression for these files.

The well-known Nginx web server can also function as a powerful reverse proxy service. However, Apache has a reverse proxy solution, it is a reverse proxy solution. Apache web server also comes fitted with an reverse proxy function as an additional option for Apache unlike Nginx was originally designed to and is focused on reverse proxy capabilities.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Situations

Since "forward" or "reverse" have connotations of directionality as well as inaccurate comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic The labels could be confusing because both types of proxies deal with requests and responses. The most effective way to differentiate between forward and reverse proxies is to examine the needs of the app you're creating.

Reverse proxy is an effective tool to use when designing a solution to deliver applications on the web via the internet. They act as your web servers whenever you interact on the internet.

A forward proxy is helpful when it is placed before clients for your personal use as well as in an official environment. They serve as a representation of your client's web traffic during any internet-based interaction.

Separating by use case, instead of focussing on similar naming conventions will assist you in avoiding confusion.

Conclusion

This article clarifies the meaning of a proxy with two types: the forward proxy and reverse proxy. Practical application scenarios and an examination of the beneficial attributes were used to distinguish forward proxies as well as reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about implementation of proxies then you should read our guide on how to configure Nginx for use as an online server as well as reverse proxy to Apache using the Ubuntu 20.04 Server.

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