What Are Proxy Sites?

proxy, also known as a proxy is often referred to as a proxy server, a software that sits in the middle between a server and a client on the internet. Without a proxy, a user would make a request any source directly through the server, and the server would provide the requested resource directly to the user. While this is a simple method to understand and use, but the addition of proxy servers can offer advantages in terms of more performance, privacy, security, and much more. In addition to adding a layer of protection it also serves as a guardian for the internet between clients and servers.

In general, the bundle of server hardware with an installed software proxy is commonly referred to as a proxy server. This article we'll examine proxies commonly categorized as software, and also in relation to web server. The article will give a detailed breakdown of the two principal kinds of proxies: that is the forward proxy and reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each has its own usage scenario, which is often misunderstood due to the overlapping name convention.

This article will give you some understanding about what proxy servers and their subtypes are, and how they can be useful in a range of configurations. In this article, you'll be able discern the scenarios where it is beneficial to use a proxy and make the right alternative between forward and reverse proxy for any particular scenario.

Understanding Forward Proxies

A forward proxy, also known by the name of the open proxy serves as an agent for a user who is trying to send a request through the internet to a source server. In this situation, any attempt to send requests made by the client will be handled by the forward proxy. The forward proxy, in place of the client, will examine the request. It first decides if the client has been granted permission to receive requests from this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the original server. It isn't able to direct connection with the Internet. It can only access what the forward proxy permits it to access.

A typical use of forward proxy is the requirement for greater security or privacy when using the internet. Forward proxy connects to Internet as a "client", and in this process, it uses an alternate IP address for your client's IP address.

Depending on how it has been configured based on the way it was configured forward proxy can provide a variety of functions that allow you to:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  You can identify limitations based on your location.
  
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Forward proxies are also employed in systems to give central security and access via permissions, for instance in a workplace. The entire internet can go by an open forward proxy. administrators can grant access only to specific people to connect on the internet, which is then filtered by the standard firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls on clients, which may be used by several computers with different environments and types of users A firewall can be located within this forward proxy layer.

Be aware that forward proxies require manual setup for their use, however reverse proxy servers will not be noticed by users. Based on the fact that an IP address from the client is transmitted to the source server through the forward proxy, privacy and anonymity could be granted or kept in the dark.

There are a variety of possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxies.

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  Apache is a well-known open-source web server that offers forward proxy features.
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open source web server with forward proxy functions.
  
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  Squid is an free forward proxy that utilizes an HTTP protocol. It isn't part of the whole web server. This is a step-by-step tutorial for setting up Squid proxy to allow secure connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante Forward proxy that uses the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP which makes it more suitable for situations such as peer-to-peer traffic. You can also look at the steps to install an Dante proxy to allow private connections to Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary to a web server, handling incoming requests from clients in its place. The server could function as a single server or as a set of servers. Additionally, it can contain an application server like Gunicorn. It is possible to receive an inquiry from a client through the internet at large. In the majority of cases, the request would be sent directly to the server that hosts the information the client wants. A reverse proxy serves as an intermediary that blocks your website server from communicating with the web's public.

From the point of perspective, which is also an individual's view, interacting with reverse proxy isn't distinct from the interaction with the server in its own. It's basically the same as the web server, and the user cannot tell the distinction. The client is able to request the resource and is then given it, with no additional configuration needed from the user.

Reverse proxies grant features like:

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  Centralized security on webservers.
  
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  The direction of traffic that is incoming by using rules that you create.
  
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  A new feature for caching has been added.
  
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Although centralized security is a benefit for both forward and reverse proxy services, reverse-proxies provide this function to only the layer of web servers but not the layer of clients. instead of having firewalls installed at the web servers that may include multiple servers that have different configurations, the majority of firewall security is located at the reverse proxy layer. Additionally, getting rid of the necessity of interfacing with firewalls and interacting with requests from clients who do not have web servers lets them concentrate on providing the needs of their clients.

In the event of multiple servers hosting through a reverse proxy, the reverse proxy also determines the requests to which server. Multiple web servers could be providing the exact same service, but having different resources, or some combination of both. They can utilize the HTTP protocol similar to a traditional web server but can be outfitted with protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can create reverse proxy servers to redirect users to specific servers based on the requested resource or to follow specific rules regarding traffic load.

Reverse proxy solutions can also profit from their placement on the web servers with caching capabilities. Large static assets can be set up with caching rules in order to prevent hitting web servers every time you request. Certain solutions allow users to serve static content directly, without needing to connect to a web server at all. In addition the reverse proxy can be used to manage compression of these files.

The popular Nginx web server can also function as a popular reverse proxy solution. It is real that Apache web server does have reverse proxy features but it's a different option for Apache as opposed to Nginx was designed initially to focus on the reverse proxy feature.

Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Situations

Since "forward" as well as "reverse" are associated with the perception of directionality, and inaccurate comparisons with "incoming" as well as "outgoing" traffic. The labels are confusing because both kinds of proxies handle both requests and replies. A better approach to distinguish between forward and reverse proxy services is to consider the requirements of the application you're creating.

Reverse proxy is an essential aspect when developing a solution to deliver web applications to the internet. They serve as your web servers in any interaction with the internet.

Forward proxy applications are beneficial when it is displayed in front of clients for personal use, or in a workplace. They can be used to represent the client's activity when you interact with the internet.

A case-based approach to differentiation instead of focusing solely on the most common names will ensure that you don't become confused.

Conclusion

The article outlined what is a "proxy" is and the two main kinds of them being reverse and forward proxies. Practical applications as well as a summary of beneficial features were utilized to distinguish between forward proxy as well as reverse proxy. If you're interested exploring how to implement proxies you should check out our guide on how to configure Nginx as a web server and reverse proxy for Apache on Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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