What is a forward proxy?

Forward proxy is an application method of proxy server, and the client accesses Internet resources through the proxy server. The proxy server sends requests to the Internet on behalf of the client, gets a response, and sends it back to the client. . For example, if you want to access Google in China, you can use a forward proxy server abroad to access Google.

Classification of forward proxy:

1. Residential proxy: In a computer network, a residential proxy (Residential Proxy) refers to a proxy server that uses a home network IP address. These IP addresses are usually provided by Internet service providers (ISPs), not data centers or cloud service providers. The advantage of residential proxies is that they have higher anonymity and better stability, because their IP addresses look more like real users' IP addresses, and are less likely to be identified and blocked by target websites. Residential proxies are usually used in scenarios such as data mining, web crawling, and advertisement verification

2. Data Center Proxy: Data Center Proxy refers to a proxy server that uses the IP address of the data center. These IP addresses are usually provided by data centers or cloud service providers, not Internet service providers (ISPs). The advantages of data center proxies are speed and stability, as they usually have higher bandwidth and better network connections. However, since the IP addresses of data center proxies are easily identified and blocked by targeted websites, they are less anonymous.

Forward proxy has the following common uses:

1. Break through network restrictions: In certain regions or network environments, access to certain websites or services may be restricted. Use a forward proxy to bypass these restrictions and access blocked websites or services.

2. Accelerated access: The forward proxy server can cache commonly used data and resources, reduce the network transmission between the client and the target server, thereby increasing the access speed.

3. Hiding the real IP address: using a forward proxy can hide the real IP address of the client, improving anonymity and privacy protection.

4. Access to internal resources: The forward proxy can access internal resources on behalf of the client to protect the security of internal resources.

5. Load balancing: The forward proxy can distribute client requests to multiple target servers to achieve load balancing and improve system performance and reliability.

6. Security filtering: The forward proxy can perform security filtering on client requests, prevent malicious traffic and attacks, and protect the security of the target server.

What is a reverse proxy server?

Reverse Proxy Server (Reverse Proxy Server) is an application method of proxy server, which provides services to clients on behalf of the target server. The client does not access the target server directly, but accesses the target server through a reverse proxy server. The reverse proxy server is usually located in front of the target server, which can hide the real IP address and other details of the target server to improve security and reliability.

Classification of reverse proxy:

1. Ordinary reverse proxy (Reverse Proxy): refers to an application method in which the proxy server provides services to the client on behalf of the target server. The client does not directly access the target server, but accesses the target server through a common reverse proxy server. Ordinary reverse proxy servers are usually located in front of the target server, which can hide the real IP address and other details of the target server to improve security and reliability.

2. Load Balancer: It is a network device or software used to distribute client requests to multiple target servers to achieve load balancing and improve system performance and reliability. The load balancer is usually located between the client and the target server, and can distribute client requests to multiple target servers according to different algorithms and strategies, thereby balancing server load and improving system throughput and response speed.

What is a reverse proxy used for?

1. Load balancing: The reverse proxy server can distribute client requests to multiple target servers to achieve load balancing and improve system performance and reliability.

2. Cache acceleration: The reverse proxy server can cache commonly used data and resources, reduce the network transmission between the client and the target server, and thus improve the access speed.

3. Security filtering: the reverse proxy server can perform security filtering on client requests, prevent malicious traffic and attacks, and protect the security of the target server.

4.SSL terminal: The reverse proxy server can be used to encrypt and decrypt SSL/TLS traffic to improve transmission speed and security.

5. Hiding the target server: The reverse proxy server can hide the real IP address and other detailed information of the target server to improve security and reliability.

6. Cross-domain access: The reverse proxy server can realize cross-domain access and solve the cross-domain problem of Web applications.

The difference between forward proxy and reverse proxy:

The difference between forward proxy (Forward Proxy) and reverse proxy (Reverse Proxy) is that their proxy objects are different.

The forward proxy is a proxy client. The client sends a request to the forward proxy server, and the forward proxy server forwards the request to the target server. The target server returns the response to the forward proxy server, and finally returns the response to the client.

The reverse proxy is a proxy server. The client sends a request to the reverse proxy server, and the reverse proxy server forwards the request to the target server. The target server returns the response to the reverse proxy server, and finally returns the response to the client. Reverse proxy is often used in scenarios such as load balancing, cache acceleration, and security filtering.

The main difference between forward proxy and reverse proxy is that their proxy objects and usage scenarios are different. The forward proxy is to hide the real IP address and access information of the client, while the reverse proxy is to hide the real IP address and detailed information of the target server.

Please note that forward proxies generally cannot act as reverse proxies, because they work differently and proxy objects. Although the working principles of forward proxy and reverse proxy are similar, their proxy objects and usage scenarios are different, so forward proxy generally cannot act as reverse proxy.

Generally speaking, both forward proxy and reverse proxy are proxy servers, but their working principles, proxy objects and usage scenarios are different. Forward proxy is usually used to hide the client's real IP address and access information, and to access restricted resources.