Proxy Sites Expert Interview

A proxy also referred to an application called a proxy server that serves as an intermediary between a client and server over the internet. Without the use of a proxy, a user could send a request to servers directly, and servers would serve direct to users. It is an easy process to grasp and use the addition of proxies can result in benefits like enhanced performance, privacy, security, and much more. As an additional layer of pass-through, proxies act as a gatekeeper of the internet between servers and clients.




Generally speaking, the combined combination of server hardware and installed proxy software is commonly referred as proxy servers. This article will focus on proxy servers that are generally referred to as software as in the context of web servers. The article will offer a description of the two primary kinds, namely which are a forward proxy and the reverse proxy. Each has its own application, and is frequently confused due to the identical namesake convention.




This article will provide an idea of the what proxy services and their subtypes are, as well as how they can be beneficial for the common setups. If you read this article, you'll be able to recognize situations where it's beneficial to utilize the proxy service and determine the appropriate choice between reverse proxy and forward proxy in any circumstance.



Understanding Forward Proxies



The forward proxy, also known by the name of or an open proxy acts as the representative of the client in making an internet request to an the server that made it. In this situation, all attempts to send requests from the user are instead routed straight to the forward proxy. In this case the forward proxy acting instead of the client will scrutinize the request. It will first decide if this client is able to make requests via this specific forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the original server. The client isn't capable of having directly access to internet. It can access only what forward proxy allows it to connect to.




The primary reason people utilize forward proxy services is to improve privacy or anonymity on internet. A forward proxy utilizes the internet instead of a client on its own, and in this way it could utilize an alternate IP address in place of the primary IP address of the client.




Based on the way it's setup, a forward proxy can offer a range of features and let you:




Avoid tracking ads.


Circumvent surveillance.


Determine restrictions based on place of residence.




Forward proxies are also employed in systems that offer centralized security and access based upon permissions, like in workplaces. If all internet traffic is routed through a common front proxy, the administrator can allow only a handful of users connection to internet through an common firewall. Instead of maintaining firewalls on the client layer, which can involve many machines that have different settings and users it is possible to have the firewall configured on the front proxy layer.




Take note that forward proxies need to be set up manually in order to permit them to be used, whereas reverse proxies can be ignored by clients. Depending on whether the IP address of a client is passed to the original server via forward proxy security and privacy can be granted or kept in the dark.




There are many possibilities to think about when it comes to forward proxies:




Apache is a well-known open-source web server, which provides forward proxy capabilities.


Nginx: Another widely used open-source webserver, which includes forward proxy functionality.


Squid: A free and open source forward proxy which makes use of it's HTTP protocol. This option doesn't include the complete website server program. You can read our tutorial on how you can install Squid proxy to allow private connections within Ubuntu 20.04.


Dante: a forward proxy that runs using the SOCKS protocol rather than HTTP in order to be more to work in situations like with peer-to-peer traffic. You may also want to know how to build an Dante proxy to allow private connections in Ubuntu 20.04



Understanding Reverse Proxies



A reverse proxy functions as an intermediary for a web server, handling the incoming requests of clients on behalf. This web server may include a server or multiple servers. Additionally, it can serve as an application server, such as Gunicorn. In any of these scenarios, a request would come from a user via the internet at large. In the majority of cases the request is made directly to the website server that hosts the information that the client is requesting. Reverse proxy serves as a middleman to isolate Web server from direct interaction with the public internet.




From a consumer's point of the client's point of view using reverse proxy is not the same as working with a web servers in direct contact. It's basically the same, but the client isn't able to tell the distinction. The client requests the resource and it then gets it without any additional configuration needed for the end user.




Reverse proxies provide features like:




A centralized layer of security that guards the server.


Controlling traffic coming inbound on rules that you can set up.


New feature added to caching.




While central security is a benefit for both forward and reverse proxy servers, reverse proxy servers provide this feature only to the layer of the webserver rather than the client layer. Instead of coordinating firewalls at the server level which may contain multiple servers with different configurations, the bulk of security for firewalls is centered in the reverse proxy layer. Furthermore, the elimination of the responsibility of interfacing with firewalls as well as interfacing with client requests via web servers allows the firewall to concentrate on providing resources.




In the event of multiple servers that are within a reverse proxy the reverse proxy takes care of directing which requests go at which server. There could be multiple web servers providing identical content, supplying different types of services or a combination of both. These servers can be using the HTTP protocol in the same way as an ordinary web server. However, they could also be able to use applications server protocols like FastCGI. You can set up a reverse proxy to send visitors to a particular server based on the service being requested or to comply with certain guidelines for traffic load.




Reverse proxies may also benefit from their position prior to web servers through the capability of storing data. The large static files can be set up with caching rules in order to avoid needing to connect with web servers on every request. Some solutions allowing you to serve static content directly without having to connect to the server once. Additionally, the reverse proxy is able to handle the compression for these files.




The renowned Nginx web server also functions as an effective reverse proxy service. Although Apache has a reverse proxy option however, the Apache web server is equipped with a reverse proxy function as an additional option for Apache as opposed to Nginx was initially designed for and focuses on reverse proxy capabilities.



Distinguishing Forward Proxy from Reverse Proxy Use Situations



Because "forward" and "reverse" come with connotations of directionality as well as misleading comparisons to "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic These labels can be confusing since both types of proxies handle both requests as well as responses. The best way to distinguish between reverse and forward proxies is to examine the specifications of the application you're creating.




Reverse proxy is a useful tool when you're developing a solution to serve web-based applications over the internet. They act as your web servers when you connect to the web.




A forward proxy is helpful when it is placed in front of customers for your own usage and in professional setting. They represent your client's web traffic during any online interaction.




The practice of segregating by use case, instead of using the same names can help in making sure that there is no confusion.



Conclusion



This article explains the meaning of a proxy with two types: the forward proxy as well as the reverse. Practical application scenarios as well as an exploration of beneficial attributes were used to determine forward proxies as well as reverse proxies. If you're interested in learning more about the use of proxy servers then you should follow our tutorial on how to set up Nginx to act as an Internet server as well as reverse proxy to Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.



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