Proxy servers enhance the user experience by facilitating multiple web connections, traffic, and client requests. In this post, I will explain the difference between reverse proxy vs forward proxy.
It is not surprising that there are so many proxy kinds available. Some specify which devices function as proxy servers, while others regulate how proxy servers protect users’ privacy and handle their data.
Various proxy kinds define the client’s connection with the proxy server. Thus, determines whether a proxy is a reverse or forward proxy.
We often get inquiries on the distinction between forward and reverse proxies. These two are so dissimilar that comparing them is difficult.
This is where I bring my expertise to explain to you the difference between the two proxies. Before jumping to the reverse proxy vs forward proxy differentiation, let me explain you what a proxy server is.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server, sometimes known as a forward proxy, is a server that redirects communication between one or more clients and another system, which is often external to the network.
Doing so can manage traffic based on predetermined rules, block unknown traffic, enforce security protocols, mask and convert client IP addresses, etc.
Systems often use proxy servers with shared networks, such as commercial organizations and data centers.
Clients may communicate with proxy servers using a single interface without implementing policy and route management functionality inside the clients themselves.
What Are Reverse Proxies?
Server administrators use a reverse proxy to provide a load balancer and high availability. Multiple web servers may exist behind the reverse proxy of a website.
The reverse proxy server accepts Internet requests and transmits them to one of the back-ends web servers. Most visitors are unaware that websites use a reverse proxy.
A Reverse Proxy may also operate as a secure doorway, preventing internet users’ direct access to back-end operating systems.
The customer only ever communicates with the proxy, and the proxy communicates with the back-end. You can also perform moderation with a reverse proxy depending on the destination URL and source IP.
Many reverse proxy software, such as Nginx, may function as a web server and a reverse proxy. Apache may simultaneously serve as a web server and a reverse proxy.
HAProxy is a popular, feature-rich, open-source reverse proxy application.
Owing to the increasing popularity of Node.js in the web development community due to its fast speed, web developers often place the built-in Node.js web server behind another web server, such as Nginx, making Nginx the reverse proxy.
Using HAProxy, it is possible to run Apache and Nginx on the same server. HAProxy can also function as a reverse proxy for SMTP and IMAP traffic.
What is Forward Proxies?
The client may utilize a forward proxy to circumvent firewall limitations to access websites restricted by schools, governments, corporations, etc.
If a website restricts a specific IP range from accessing the site, a user inside that IP range may use a forward proxy to mask the actual IP of the client, allowing them to see the site and perhaps post spam comments.
Nonetheless, the website administrator may identify a forward proxy. Some paid proxy services have many proxy systems throughout the globe.
So they may alter your IP address whenever you visit a different website, making it more difficult for website administrators to detect.
Typically, this form of forwarding proxy sits inside the internal network.
Internally, a forward proxy may also operate as a cache server. If a resource is downloaded many times, the proxy may cache the content on the server so that the next time another computer downloads the same content, the proxy will transmit the cached content to the computer.
There are several forward proxy types, including web, HTTP, SOCKS, etc. Please note that utilizing a forward proxy to access the Internet often decreases your total Internet speed. This depends on the distance between your computer and the forward proxy and the number of users of the forward proxy.
A further consideration is that hackers create many free-forward proxies for nefarious intentions. If you are utilizing one of these proxies, they will record all of your Internet activities. Therefore, free is rather expensive.
Use Cases of Reverse Proxies
Reverse proxy features are extensive. There are several reasons why (and how) firms employ reverse proxy servers, but here are three of the most important:
Speed:
A reverse proxy server may store frequently requested content and compress incoming and outgoing traffic. If you do both actions, traffic between the client and server will increase.
In addition, reserve proxy servers may handle other responsibilities, such as SSL encryption or HTTP access authentication, reducing the burden on your web servers. What is the consequence of that? Your website’s functionality increases!
Security:
The reverse proxy server prevents queries from reaching the backend server. A website using a reverse proxy server will never divulge the IP address of the origin server, making it impossible to launch attacks.
In addition, if you are a server owner, you may utilize reverse proxies to conceal the rest of your servers behind a firewall that is only accessible through the reverse proxy. Consequently, your servers will be even more secure and anonymous.
Load balancing:
Today, website traffic is heavy! Imagine the millions of visitor requests that websites get every second. If your website has just one server, it may only be able to manage some incoming network traffic.
It is essential, therefore, to disperse website traffic over a collection of backend servers that all answer client requests for the same website.
A reverse proxy may provide reasonable solutions for load balancing by spreading incoming traffic evenly across several servers.
This prevents servers from being overloaded by several simultaneous queries. If one server has a failure point, the remaining servers can still manage the load.
Use Cases of Forward Proxies:
There are several reasons why individual, users and corporations use forward proxy servers:
Web scraping:
Web scraping is the most typical proxy usage. A company must collect data from various sources to enhance its social media campaigns, marketing, pricing, and other business strategies to remain competitive.
Anonymity:
A forward proxy conceals the identity and location of the originating client by substituting their IP address. It is the proxy that connects to the destination server.
A remedy for geo-restrictions:
Primarily, a forward proxy will allow you to bypass geo-blocks and nation limitations. Forget the Great Firewall of China and any other banned sites worldwide.
Users may access content meant for other countries while using a forward proxy. For instance, suppose you must determine if your advertising is viewable in Canada. Simply use a Canada proxy to get access to content in Canada.
Reverse Proxy Vs Forward Proxy Differences
| Forward Proxy | Reverse Proxy |
| ✔ Forward proxy prevents internal users from accessing filtered or restricted websites. | ✔ Reverse proxy prevents external users and clients from having direct network access. |
| ✔ Forward proxies are used for content filtering, NATing, and Email Security, among other things. | ✔ A reverse Proxy is used for application firewall, authentication, content switching, and Load Balancing or TCP Multiplexing. |
| ✔ Application Delivery does not rely on forwarding proxy. | ✔ Reverse proxies are designed to facilitate Application Delivery. |
| ✔ The forward proxy connection originates inside a protected zone and is meant for the unprotected global network. | ✔ A reverse proxy connection originates from the global network and is meant for a private network. |
A forward proxy server cannot function as a reverse proxy server. Even though the principles of these proxies may be similar, as discussed above, they serve fundamentally distinct functions.
A proxy is more than just an IP address. Proxy servers consist of IP addresses and specialized software that enables them to function as intended.
As forward and reverse proxies are used for distinct purposes, they each need unique software to operate efficiently. This is why forward proxies cannot be used as reverse proxies.
The goal of a proxy service is to represent another computer, such as a client, web server, or backend server. A forward proxy provides these proxy services to one or more customers. Every request from a client entering a server must transit via a forward proxy. Typically, the forward proxy contains a set of settings that govern whether or not a request is permitted to pass.
Conclusion
Forward proxies are essential for privacy and security while surfing the Internet, accessing geo-restricted information, web scraping, and many other activities.
Reverse proxies are crucial for websites with many daily visits since they help prevent overloading and are ideal for caching site data and SSL encryption.
The primary distinction between reverse proxy vs forward proxy is their respective functions. As they are used for distinct purposes, they cannot be regarded as equivalent proxies.
