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Networking

WHAT IS REVERSE PROXY?

David Lam

David Lam

— 2 min read
WHAT IS REVERSE PROXY?

WHAT IS REVERSE PROXY?

A reverse proxy is a Server that sits between Client Devices and Backend Servers. It takes client requests and forwards them to the right server in the background.

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

Let’s start with this: you’re on your computer and want to see a cat picture. You open a browser and type into the website something like “show me a cat picture.” This action is called a request.

Make a request from website

Your request is first sent to a reverse proxy server, which sits between you and the origin server. The reverse proxy ensures you don’t communicate directly with the origin server. It then forwards your request to the appropriate backend server.

Reverse Proxy Server Forward Requests

The backend server processes the request and sends the response back to the reverse proxy server.

Reverse Proxy Server Forward Response

Finally, the reverse proxy returns the response (your cat picture!) back to you, completing the process seamlessly.

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Tips: Whenever you hear the term "proxy," simply think of it as a middleman (which is true in most cases). You will need to meet that guy to get access or obtain something.

WHY NEED TO USE REVERSE PROXY?

  1. Enhanced Security: A reverse proxy hides the details of your backend servers, protecting them from direct exposure to threats.
  2. Load Balancing: It distributes incoming requests evenly across multiple backend servers, ensuring no single server is overwhelmed.
  3. Caching and Optimization: Frequently requested resources can be cached by the reverse proxy, reducing the load on backend servers and improving response times.
  4. Scalability: It makes it easier to scale your infrastructure by adding or removing backend servers without disrupting client interactions.

USE CASES FOR REVERSE PROXY SERVERS

  • Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): To speed up delivery of content by caching resources closer to users.
  • Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): For additional layers of security to protect against attacks like SQL injection or cross-site scripting.
  • Microservices Architecture: To manage and route requests in systems that use a collection of smaller services.

A reverse proxy is an essential tool for modern web infrastructure, enabling smooth, secure, and efficient delivery of content to users.

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