What is a Reverse Proxy Server?

A reverse proxy server mitigates a multitude of problems at once, web resource protection from attacks, acceleration of website loading, server load balancing, and traffic management. It is commonly used to increase stability and security in high-load systems, cloud services, and corporate networks.

Read on to learn the reverse proxy meaning, benefits, and use-cases of such a type.

Reverse Proxy Explained

It acts as a gateway between network users and the web. It intercepts requests, processes them based on predefined security rules, and directs them to the appropriate server. Its core function is to optimize its infrastructure performance, security, and manageability.

There are two types that differ depending on which IP address each conceals. A forward one is configured by users on their device or in an application in order to conceal their IP address from the websites they visit. On the other hand, a reverse proxy server conceals the IP address of the target server. Unlike forward ones, which may be used for block evasion, multi-accounting, and mass actions, a reverse one is useful for specific purposes. If your task requires you to change your IP address, you can use ISP, data-center, residential, or mobile proxy servers. Further in the article, we will cover the purpose of reverse proxy alongside its technical features in more detail.

How Does a Reverse Proxy Work?

In the case of this type, the intermediary first receives the user queries and performs some essential functions before submitting them to the target point. These functions include the following:

1. Receiving the request: the reverse proxy server takes incoming connections from users.
2. Analysis and processing: the incoming request is scanned for compliance to security rules, possible threats, and possible needs for caching.
3. Redirecting: user requests are allocated to a specific server or user through load balancing.
4. Receiving the response: the processed response is sent back from the target resource through the internet to the user.
5. Delivering to the user: the user is provided with the final response which may include data from the cache or has been modified in some way.

With the way it functions, it guarantees website speed, an extra layer of security.

Reverse Proxy Server Architecture

As we attempt to understand what are reverse proxies, it becomes crucial to identify its features:

• Network interface: receives requests from clients through HTTP, HTTPS, or TCP and sends them to the intended servers.
• Routing and load balancing: routes requests to appropriate targets using URL, request headers, geolocation.
• Caching: gathers data that has been retrieved many times previously in order to facilitate faster processing of such future requests.
• SSL/TLS termination: shifts the resources burden of encrypting or decrypting HTTPS traffic away from the main server on which it resides.
• Filtering and protection: works in association with the Web Application Firewall (WAF) to prevent DDoS attacks, SQL injections and other security threats, enhancing protection from these dangers.
• Logging and monitoring: keeps records of requests made, any issues encountered, and any requested metrics along with saved data to assist in analysis diagnostics.

The architecture may differ slightly according to the software solution in use, such as Nginx, HAProxy, or Traefik. Generally, Nginx is a standard choice for websites and caching, HAProxy is better suited for load balancing on large systems, and Traefik is preferable for containers and microservices. Still, the fundamental elements are available in all implementations.

Benefits of Reverse Proxy Usage

It performs several crucial operations that enhance and protect the operations. Now, let us explain why using a reverse proxy is beneficial:

• To avoid overloading by balancing traffic;
• For optimizing speed via caching and data compression that enables faster page loading;
• To safeguard against DDoS attacks, SQL injections, and undesired traffic;
• Concealment of the actual location and IP addresses;
• To ease the burden of SSL management by processing HTTPS;
• Resource conservation through caching and optimizing requests.

These benefits justify the application of such a type in optimizing cloud services and improving the efficiency of high-load web resources.

Why Use Such a Type?

They are used to protect data, speed up website operation, and manage internet traffic. Let's consider the primary scenarios for the application of reverse proxy setup.

Popular Sites with High Traffic

Site becomes overloaded when too many users visit the site for its services. In such cases, a reverse proxy server for the site exists that receives requests and manages them amongst several hosts enabling seamless operations of the site.

Online stores and social media sites like Facebook, Google, and Amazon use a reverse proxy solution in that case is preferable to efficiently manage heavy traffic.

Accelerating Page Loading

For companies that have global reach, their data is stored on numerous servers. Page fetching speed increases with the use of a reverse proxy server as it is able to redirect the request to the closest one.

This approach is also used by video hosting pages like Youtube and Netflix so users can easily access their favorite content without unnecessary delays.

Protection from Hacker Attacks

A reverse proxy server provides filtering of malicious traffic, protection from DDoS attacks, and hides the IP address. Banking sites and online payment systems (Visa, PayPal) use them to protect client data.

Encryption of Connections (HTTPS)

To ensure data is sent and received over securely, websites use HTTPS, reverse proxy in that case useful as they provide offloading with SSL Certificates.

All sites enforced by the HTTPS protocol, are equipped with a shed lock in the browser address. Major firms employ them for managing encryption.

Load Balancing

The technology provides load balancing by evenly distributing traffic so that there are no overloads. For instance, Fortnite or World of Warcraft ensures that there is good server capacity for many players simultaneously using this technology.

Data Caching to Speed Up Operation

Load can be reduced and content loading increased by having a reverse proxy server store for some frequently queried pages. For example, caching is employed by popular news portals (BBC, CNN) to ensure users are able to retrieve articles within minimum time.

Complex Web Applications (Microservices and APIs)

A large number of websites are composed of multiple services that need to work in conjunction. For instance, a reverse proxy server communicates to specific sections within the system by sending the requests.

Take, for example, internet banking, which may have distinct components for payments, for examining the transaction history, and for attending to customer issues. Using a reverse proxy, security for a financial institution’s website is achievable and easy.

How To Implement a Reverse Proxy: Examples

The specific implementation will differ based on the goals and platforms in use. This is usually the domain of system administrator, DevOps engineer, and developer dealing with the system’s optimal functioning and safeguarding.

The configuration is done with the aid of dedicated software (for example, Nginx, Apache, Caddy). A hosting that contains the data, such as a website or application, needs to be created as well as the reverse proxy server itself.

This mainly consists of defining rules for traffic redirection along with check requirements for supplementary functions like load balancing, caching, or data encryption.

For configuring them, there are a number of universal options and it is best to learn their capabilities in detail – these are the most popular ones:

• Nginx – maybe the most popular solution. It has load balancing and caching capabilities along with DDoS mitigation and SSL termination. Used for high-load web services. It works as a local reverse proxy.
• HAProxy – a powerful solution focused on traffic balancing and high fault tolerance. Good for such systems with high volume requests.
• Apache HTTP Server (mod_proxy) – supports acting as a reverse type. Highly configurable but has slow speeds compared to Nginx or HAProxy.
• Traefik – frequently seen in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes). Autonomously sets up routing and provides support for dynamic configurations management.
• Caddy – configuration friendly server with provisioning of SSL certificate management. Ideal for smaller projects having speedy deployment of HTTPS as a priority.
• Squid – primarily employed as a forward one, yet is capable of functioning in reverse mode as well. It offers caching and traffic filtering functionalities.

From this we may conclude that, in the case of high load volumes, Nginx and HAProxy work best, while Traefik is most effective for containerized applications and Caddy works best for simplistic projects that require HTTPS functionality enabled.

Free vs. Paid Reverse Proxy Servers

Take note which features services provide in free and paid versions. Free are good for small projects and trials, whereas paid ones come with additional features, technical support, and better security options.

Some of these services have completely free versions or a freemium tariff with restrictions:

• Cloudflare Free – basic version with DDoS protection, caching, and free SSL. Good for small sites.
• Google Cloud Load Balancer – grants the permission to utilize the reverse proxy server with some traffic under the free-tier.
• AWS Application Load Balancer – free 750 hours in a month, good for testing purposes.
• NGINX Open Source – a free one, but no premium features like real-time monitoring.
• Traefik CE (Community Edition) – a free version which supports container(Docker, Kubernetes ) usage.
• Caddy – free service comes with automated management of SSL certificates.
• Squid – can function as a reverse one, but with very low performance.

If more capabilities are needed (e.g., SLA support, advanced security, integration with cloud services), it is worth considering paid solutions.

Comparison of free and paid options are provided below:

Conclusion

In summary, a reverse proxy server is invaluable not only for improving performance and security measures of any web resource, but also for increasing the loading speed of web pages, balancing loads, protecting sites from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and controlling the management of encrypted connections. Its use goes beyond just technological advancement. It is, rather, essential for the safe and stable functioning of contemporary internet systems.

The preferred option for any given solution is always dependent on the requirements and magnitude of the project. A simplistic website is fine with a lower tier sort of service, while a large business or heavily trafficked service will most likely require advanced feature paid options.

To issue IP address anonymization, unblocking, or changing services, buying a proxy server of standard commercial type is the easiest option. These operate very distinctively and are configured through the operating system or the browser, as further explained in the article on how to use proxy in browser.