Do you need port mapping for reverse proxy?

I've heard an interesting question asked recently about the confusion of reverse proxies and port mapping. It's like asking which comes first, the chicken or the egg, and it's puzzling. A reverse proxy is like a smart housekeeper that quietly handles things in the background, while port mapping is like a magic key that opens up internal and external channels, allowing information to come and go. So, do the two have to go together? Let's come together to find out!

reverse proxy port mapping

A reverse proxy is like a mirror in the fog that directs external requests to an internal server, as if it were a tour guide leading visitors through a maze. Port mapping, on the other hand, provides a gateway in the process, like a hidden path that allows visitors to walk directly to their destination from the outside, avoiding the complex structure of the maze. Therefore, when we use reverse proxies, if we need to direct external requests to different ports on the internal server, we must perform port mapping, so as to ensure the smooth transmission of information.

For example, it's like a host who wants to build a small garden in his yard, but there is a dense forest in front of him. At this point, he needs a guide (reverse proxy) to help him find a path (port mapping) to the garden so that it can be neatly laid out for guests to visit.

Overall, reverse proxy and port mapping are like a pair of silent partners, one without the other. When we need to transfer information in a complex network environment, they are like opening a door to happiness for us, so that we can easily enjoy the convenience and happiness of the network. So, do reverse proxies need port mapping? The answer is yes, they are like a pair of magical wings given to us by God, so that we can freely fly in the blue sky above the network.