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Both forward proxy and reverse proxy are common proxy servers, but they are used in different ways. The difference between forward proxy and reverse proxy is introduced in detail below.
What is a forward proxy?
A forward proxy is a proxy server between a client and a target server, sending client requests to the target server, and then sending server responses back to the client. In this case, the client does not have a direct connection to the target server, it is a proxy "onward" in that it requests server resources on the client's behalf.
A common use of forward proxies is to provide clients with access to the Internet. For example, in a corporate network, users can access the Internet through a proxy server, which forwards client requests to other servers on the network. Doing so increases security, controls access, and optimizes network performance.
What is a reverse proxy?
A reverse proxy is a proxy server between a server and a client, which sends client requests to the proxy server, which in turn sends the request to the server, and then sends the server response back to the client. In this case, the client is unaware of the existence of the backend server, which is a "backward" proxy in that it provides resources to the client on behalf of the server.
A common use of reverse proxies is to route requests to one of several backend servers in a load-balanced environment. For example, in an application server cluster, a reverse proxy can route requests to the server best suited to handle the request based on specific rules for each request. In addition, reverse proxy can also provide network security features, such as DDOS attack defense and HTTPS encryption.
The difference between forward proxy and reverse proxy
The difference between a forward proxy and a reverse proxy is mainly where they are located and what they do. A forward proxy requests resources from the server on behalf of the client, while a reverse proxy provides resources to the client on behalf of the server. Other major differences are as follows:
- A forward proxy hides the client, and a reverse proxy hides the server.
- The forward proxy needs to be configured by the client, while the reverse proxy is transparent to the client.
- Forward proxies are typically used in edge networks, while reverse proxies are typically used in data centers.
In actual use, forward proxy and reverse proxy are usually mixed. For example, a company might use a forward proxy in its corporate network to control user access to the Internet, while using a reverse proxy in its web applications for load balancing and security.