Reverse Proxy

What is a reverse proxy?

A reverse proxy is a type of server that sits in front of one or more web servers, intercepting client requests before they reach the servers. It acts as a gateway or intermediary, providing functions such as load balancing, authentication, SSL encryption, and caching to strengthen the security, performance, and scalability of web applications.

How do reverse proxies work? 

Reverse proxies work by positioning themselves between the internet and a group of web servers. When a user sends a request to access a website, the request is initially received by the reverse proxy. The reverse proxy then decides which server among its managed web servers should handle the request based on factors like load balancing, availability, or specific rules configured for traffic distribution. It forwards the user's request to the selected server, receives the server's response, and then sends it back to the user. This process not only helps distribute the traffic to prevent any single server from becoming overwhelmed, but it also enhances security and performance by managing SSL encryption and caching content to speed up load times.