What is a Reverse Proxy?
A reverse proxy is a server that sits between clients and backend servers, forwarding requests and responses. Unlike a forward proxy, which hides clients, a reverse proxy hides backend servers and provides additional functionality.
Key Benefits:
- Load Balancing: Distributes client requests across multiple servers to optimize performance.
- Security: Masks backend server IPs and can filter malicious traffic.
- Caching: Reduces server load by caching frequently requested content.
- SSL Termination: Offloads encryption/decryption tasks from backend servers.
Popular reverse proxies include Nginx, HAProxy, and Cloudflare’s edge servers. They are commonly deployed in large-scale websites, cloud applications, and API gateways.