What Is a Reverse Proxy? Definition and Benefits

 

Reverse Proxy Definition

Reverse proxy: what is it? A server that is positioned in front of web servers is called a reverse proxy. Requests made by users' browsers are sent to the web servers that the proxy is in front of. Reverse proxies are positioned at the perimeter of a company's network, giving them the ability to intercept user requests and route them to the intended origin server.

The reverse proxy receives responses from the origin server and forwards them to the user. A reverse proxy acts as a "middleman" between users and the websites they are browsing in this manner.

A reverse proxy can be used by an enterprise to protect users from unwanted content and results, as well as to implement load balancing. As a result, a reverse proxy can strengthen an organization's network security posture and contribute to its overall stability.

What is a Reverse Proxy Server?

Reverse proxy servers are servers that are positioned in front of web servers with the purpose of delivering requests from clients, or web browsers, to the web servers in front of them. Usually, this is done to improve the network's dependability, security, and performance.

Reverse Proxy vs. Forward Proxy

A forward proxy is positioned in front of clients, whereas a reverse proxy is positioned in front of web servers. A web browser is the application in the context of proxy servers, and a client is often defined as a user. Placing a forward proxy in front of the client shields both the user and the client. When using a reverse proxy, the origin server is positioned in front of the proxy. Because both proxies are positioned between the client and the origin server, this may appear to be the same thing. There are, nevertheless, a few significant variations.

By using a forward proxy, the proxy server ensures that the client is never able to communicate directly with any origin servers. This implies that it can never transfer any data directly to the client, regardless of the website.

Reverse proxies, on the other hand, ensure that no client—regardless of its location or owner—is able to communicate with the origin server by placing the proxy in front of it.

It's like having a bodyguard who delivers messages to the person they work for as well. Reverse proxies function similarly to bodyguards that provide messages to the origin server, whereas forward proxies function like bodyguards that deliver messages to the client. The only goal of a forward proxy is to filter messages for the client. The only purpose of a reverse proxy is to filter communications for the origin server. They serve somewhat diverse purposes while being positioned in between the client and the origin server.

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Benefits of Using a Reverse Proxy

Many goals, all related to a network's functionality or security, can be achieved with the use of a reverse proxy.

1. Load Balancing

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) sessions can be routed using reverse proxies in a variety of ways and places. The load can be distributed via the reverse proxy in a way that optimizes the end user's experience. Additionally, load balancing creates a more functional and effective network. It can lessen the number of bottlenecks a site encounters and guarantee smoother operation by keeping servers from becoming overburdened. 

This could be especially useful in the busiest periods of the year when many HTTP sessions try to communicate with your origin server simultaneously. The reverse proxy lessens the strain on your network by distributing the weight of the necessary work.

2. Protection from Attacks

You can conceal the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your origin server by using a reverse proxy. A hacker can cross off one very important item from their attack checklist if they know the IP address of your origin server. Because they are unaware of your origin server's IP address, hostile actors are prevented from utilizing it to directly target you when you have a reverse proxy. Reverse proxy placement means that any external communication must first pass via the reverse proxy in order for it to reach your origin server. 

Because the reverse proxy can be configured to identify these types of assaults, threats such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are therefore more difficult to carry out. Malware attacks can also be detected using a reverse proxy. It is able to detect harmful stuff in the client's request. The reverse proxy can reject the server's request if it detects hazardous content. As such, the malicious data never even makes it to your origin server.

3. Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB)

By using a reverse proxy, load balancing is distributed globally through global server load balancing, or GSLB. The geographic locations of the clients attempting to access a website can be used by GSLB to spread the requests made to it. Requests don't have to travel as far as a result. This translates to a faster loading time for the end user's desired content.

4. Caching

It might be necessary for backend servers to manage caching alone in the absence of a reverse proxy. With a reverse proxy, on the other hand, the reverse proxy itself can take on the caching duties. The end user's content will load much more quickly from the cache than it would if the request had to travel all the way to the origin server and back.

5. SSL encryption

Because there are so many messages that must be encrypted and decrypted as they come in from different clients, secure socket layer (SSL) encryption can be an expensive undertaking. On the other hand, complete SSL encryption can take place on the reverse proxy itself when using one.  

6. Live Activity Monitoring and Logging

Every request that goes through a reverse proxy can be tracked. This implies that the request can be reviewed and logged regardless of where it originates. This makes it possible for an IT staff to thoroughly examine the origin server of a request and its response. You can use this information to see how your website responds to various requests. After that, you can utilize that knowledge to alter anything to improve the functionality of your website. 

Let's say, for instance, that you run an online store and a certain holiday brings in a lot of traffic. You worry that it might not be able to handle all of the requests quickly enough, which would ruin the end user's experience when making a purchase or browsing. By using a reverse proxy, you can determine performance metrics based on time and date and assess the capability of your website's infrastructure.

How do I implement a reverse proxy?

Determining what you want a reverse proxy to accomplish is the first step in implementing it. Before getting in touch with a service provider, you should put your expectations for the reverse proxy in writing. Next, you should confirm that a single provider is hosting both your website and the reverse proxy. The next action is to get in contact with your provider and explain your needs for the reverse proxy. 

Since an HTTP reverse proxy can be used for a variety of purposes, you should be clear about what your objectives are. After that, your provider will configure your reverse proxy based on the goals you specified. Rules are designed and put into action to achieve this. Every rule instructs the reverse proxy on what actions to take at what times and under what circumstances.

How Fortinet Can Help

You may implement load balancing, security, and scalability using a Fortinet reverse proxy. Your website can operate more efficiently and securely with each of these features. Placing a FortiGate device in front of your origin server is how a FortiGate reverse proxy operates. Next, you set up FortiGate to operate in reverse proxy mode. Every Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) packet that flows through the FortiGate solution is analyzed. Next, it is capable of:

1. Use preprogrammed rules, like load-balancing ones, to route the request.

2. Examine every information packet for security risks. Your FortiGate reverse proxy can reject a data packet if it detects a threat, shielding your origin server from an expensive attack.

3. Cache data is used to respond to requests. The FortiGate reverse proxy may manage requests by using cached data, saving your origin server from being overloaded. The end user's experience is enhanced by this.

4. Control the queries that your origin server makes for both static and dynamic content.

5. Execute the encryption and decryption of SSL.

FAQs

What is the difference between a proxy and a reverse proxy?

A forward proxy is positioned in front of clients, whereas a reverse proxy is positioned in front of web servers. A web browser is the application in the context of proxy servers, and a client is often defined as a user. Placing a forward proxy in front of the client shields both the user and the client. When using a reverse proxy, the origin server is positioned in front of the proxy.

By using a forward proxy, the proxy server ensures that the client is never able to communicate directly with any origin servers. This implies that it can never transfer any data directly to the client, regardless of the website. Reverse proxies, on the other hand, ensure that no client—regardless of its location or owner—is able to communicate with the origin server by placing the proxy in front of it.

What is a reverse proxy used for?

Reverse proxies are utilized for caching, secure socket layer (SSL) encryption, global server load balancing (GSLB), protection against attacks, load balancing, live activity monitoring, and logging.

What are the benefits of a reverse proxy?

Layer 7 routing, concurrency, scalability, resilience, and caching are all advantages of a reverse proxy.

Is a load balancer a reverse proxy?

No, a reverse proxy is not what a load balancer is. The most important situation for a load balancer is when your website is supported by numerous servers. The workload can then be distributed among various servers to improve the user experience. In addition to having security features and offering greater flexibility and scalability in ways that a load balancer cannot, a reverse proxy can also accomplish this. For this reason, even if your website is hosted on a single server, a reverse proxy can still be helpful.