Proxy

Forward Proxy

Purpose

• Enforce browsing restrictions (e.g. block websites)
• Block/Filter content
• Hide Identity

Reverse Proxy

Reverse Proxy hides backend applications and forwards client requests to the applications.

Benefits

Increase scalability, performance, resilience and security

• Load Balancing
  • Direct traffic to difference servers behind the proxy to distribute traffic
• Aggregate backend services
  • There is a single entrypoint for accessing the backend, instead of exposing all microservices.
  • This is more secure, exposing only one service. Single point to defend against attacks suck as DDoS attack
• Global Server Load Balancing
  • Load Balancing across the globe
• Caching
• SSL Encryption
  • Read My Notes on Web App Deployment with Nginx as Reverse Proxy

Reference

• Cloudflare Reverse Proxy