This topic we shall learn about basic of proxy server, how it works, Advantages of proxy server.
10.1 Proxy Server:
A proxy server is a computer or a server that acts as a gateway between a local network and the internet. The proxy server will get all the request from the client and forwards the request to the server. So when the server responds, it will receive the data and forwards to the client.
Proxy server operates on layer 3 of OSI model.
10.2 Types of proxy servers:
10.2.1. Transparent Proxy Server: It sits between a client and server. It intercepts the traffic from the client, and searches its cache, or does any kind of filtering of the data then send it to the server.
10.2.2. Distorting Proxy: It is also known as gateway proxy. It is used to hide client IP address or add/remove headers from HTTP request.
10.2.3. Tunnelling Proxy: This is used to transfer private data over the public internet by masking or encrypting the data.
10.2.4. Forward Proxy: It is used to access the websites that are blocked. It will hide the IP address so that client can visit the website.
10.2.5. Reverse Proxy: These kind of proxy servers are used in Load Balancing and High Availability. Reverse Proxy server will take the request from the client, and forwards it to any one of the application server. The client will not be having idea from which server his request is getting completed.
10.3 why a proxy server is used?
As a proxy server acts as an intermediately between the client computer and the server, it can be used in below ways:
1. To monitor the request and responses
2. To store the logs
3. Adding and removing the headers
4. Encrypting and decrypting
5. To block or un-block websites.
10.4 Advantages of Proxy server:
1. Proxy server has a cache memory. For example, if 100 computers want to download a same software, instead of downloading 100 times, we can download 1 time and place it in the proxy server. Then all the other computer can download from the proxy server. Thus reducing the bandwidth.
2. In time of DDoS attack, proxy server will be effected, but the actual application server will remain safe.