Sometimes when we are browsing the web or visiting a certain website on the internet, we may encounter some problems such as the page not opening or loading slowly. At this time, there may be forward or reverse proxy at work behind the scenes.

Positive proxy - like a secret agent

A forward proxy, as the name suggests, proxies the client's role, acting like a secret messenger that helps the client send requests and get responses from the server. You can think of a forward proxy as a middleman that establishes a connection between the client and the target server and forwards the request to the server and then forwards the response to the client.

Reverse proxy -- like a gatekeeper.

Unlike a forward proxy, a reverse proxy proxies the role of the server and acts as a guardian figure. It is like a gatekeeper that helps the server manage client requests, distributes them to different back-end servers according to specific rules, and then returns the results to the client. The reverse proxy appears externally as a server, hiding information about the real server and protecting the security and privacy of the server.

Forward and Reverse Agency Distinctions - Tacit understanding and role reversal

Forward proxies and reverse proxies are similar in functionality but differ in their roles and usage scenarios. Forward proxies are mostly used in situations where network access is restricted, for example, when we need to access certain blocked websites, we can access them through a forward proxy server, which provides a way for the client to do so.

Reverse proxies, on the other hand, are commonly used to improve system performance and security, as well as load balancing application scenarios. Through the use of reverse proxies, request distribution, caching, compression and other functions can be realized to improve the reliability and response speed of the system.

concluding remarks

While both forward and reverse proxies are designed to improve network communication, they have distinct differences in their roles and usage scenarios. Forward proxies proxy the role of the client, while reverse proxies proxy the role of the server. The existence and application of forward and reverse proxies provide us with a more convenient and secure network experience.