Forward Proxy vs Reverse Proxy

In this article, I will talk about the differences, advantages and disadvantages between Proxy and Reverse Proxy.

What is a proxy and why do we need it?

A proxy is a proxy server that accesses the internet from a machine in a network and is used to make that connection secure or anonymous. Proxy servers can be used for purposes such as hiding the IP address of users, bypassing maintenance or obstacles, encrypting the internet or providing a secure connection.

It can also be used by large organizations. For example, a company uses proxy servers to run its internet services or improve its security. Therefore, internet users may need proxy servers: for privacy, security, bypass maintenance, encryption of privacy and similar purposes.

Forward Proxy

Forward Proxy

Forward Proxy is used to mean that requests made by the internet are first directed by this proxy server and then forwarded to the requested website. This proxy server hides the requesting party’s IP address and changes the origin of the request to websites. It can also be used for purposes such as prohibiting or limiting access to certain websites.

Example scenario:
A company wants to control the time its employees spend online and to limit access to certain websites. For this purpose, it installs a Forward Proxy server on the corporate network. Employees connect to the internet using their computers on the corporate network, and all their requests are forwarded by this Forward Proxy server. The Company may prohibit or restrict access to certain websites through this server. In this way, the time employees spend on the Internet is kept under control and access to certain websites is limited.

Advantages

• Security of Internet traffic: Forward Proxy servers increase the security of Internet traffic by hiding the IP address of the requesting party.
• Filtering Internet traffic: It can be used for purposes such as prohibiting or limiting access to certain websites.
• Increasing internet speed: Forward Proxy servers can direct internet traffic uninterruptedly and quickly, thus increasing internet speed.
• Storing request records: Forward Proxy servers can record all internet requests and use these records to examine.

Disadvantages

• Additional system requirement: Installing and configuring Forward Proxy servers requires an additional system requirement.
• Poor performance: Forward Proxy servers need an additional stage to route internet traffic, which can degrade performance.
• Difficult to configure: Forward Proxy servers are difficult to configure correctly, and configuration errors can negatively impact security and performance.
• Operating cost: Setting up, configuring and operating Forward Proxy servers is a costly process.
• Update and maintenance requirement: Forward Proxy servers must be constantly updated and maintained, otherwise their security and performance may be affected.

Reverse Proxy

Reverse Proxy

Reverse Proxy is a network server used to route requests to internet servers. Reverse Proxy hides the IP address of the requesting party on the internet and allows it to make requests to the servers. In this way, the servers prevent requests from the internet directly and its security is increased. In addition, Reverse Proxy servers offer benefits such as distributing load, improving performance, and reducing update and maintenance requirements.

Example scenario of a Reverse Proxy for an e-commerce website using the following set of web servers:

1. The requester uses a web browser to search for a product on the e-commerce website.
2. The request is forwarded to the Reverse Proxy server.
3. The Reverse Proxy server forwards the request to the appropriate web server.
4. The web server sends a list of products in response to the request.
5. The Reverse Proxy server sends the product list response to the requesting party.
6. The requester selects a product from the displayed product list and completes the purchase.
7. Reverse Proxy server directs you to the appropriate web server, which will make the purchase.
8. The web server completes the purchase and sends the response to the Reverse Proxy server.
9. The Reverse Proxy server notifies the requesting party that the purchase has been completed successfully.

This scenario shows that the Reverse Proxy server increases security by hiding the IP address of the requesting party on the internet and improves performance by distributing the load. In addition, the fact that the Reverse Proxy server can manage all requests from a single point reduces the need for updates and maintenance.

Advantages

• Security: Reverse Proxy servers hide the IP address of the requesting party on the internet and allow them to make requests to the servers. In this way, the servers prevent requests from the internet directly and its security is increased.
• Performance: Reverse Proxy servers allow requesting servers to distribute the load and manage requests made between servers. In this way, servers perform faster and better.
• Scalability: Reverse Proxy servers increase the scalability of servers by managing requests and load balancing between servers.
• Single point management: Reverse Proxy servers allow it to manage all requests from a single point. In this way, updating and maintenance requirements can be made and facilitated from a single point.

Disadvantages

• Difficult to configure: Reverse Proxy servers are more difficult to install and configure than standard web servers and require more technical knowledge.
• Loss of performance: Reverse Proxy servers run the risk of losing some of their performance by managing requests and routing requests between servers as an additional step.
• Extra maintenance requirement: Reverse Proxy servers impose an additional maintenance requirement on servers by managing requests and load balancing between servers.
• Dependency: Reverse Proxy servers increase the dependency of servers by managing requests and load balancing between servers. The servers can run while the Reverse Proxy server is running, but if the Reverse Proxy server is not running, the servers will not work either.
• Cost: Reverse Proxy servers increase the cost of servers by managing requests and allocating load between servers.

Conclusion

Proxy servers are important tools used for purposes such as increasing the security of the requested servers on the internet, improving their performance and increasing scalability. Forward and Reverse Proxy servers each have their own advantages and disadvantages and should be chosen according to their intended use. The important thing is to maximize the security and performance of the requested servers on the internet.