The difference between a forward proxy server and a reverse proxy server

A forward proxy is a server that is located between the client and the original server (Origin server), in order to obtain content from the original server, the client sends a request to the agent and specifies the target (the original server), and the agent forwards the request to the original server and returns the obtained content to the client. The client must make some special settings to use the forward proxy.

Reverse proxy is just the opposite, it is like the original server for the client, and the client does not need to make any special settings. The client sends a normal request to the content in the reverse proxy's namespace (name-space), and then the reverse proxy determines where (the originating server) forwards the request and returns the obtained content to the client, as if the content had been its own.

　　From a usage perspective: the typical use of a forward proxy is to provide access to the Internet for LAN clients inside the firewall. Forward proxies can also use buffering features to reduce network usage. A typical use of a reverse proxy is to provide the server behind the firewall to Internet users for access. The reverse proxy can also provide load balancing for multiple servers in the backend, or provide buffering services for servers with slower back-end. In addition, the reverse proxy can enable advanced URL policies and management techniques so that Web pages that are in different Web server systems exist simultaneously in the same URL space.

From a security standpoint: A forward proxy allows a client to access any Web site through it and hides the client itself, so you must take security measures to ensure that only authorized clients are serviced. The reverse proxy is transparent to the outside, and the visitor does not know that he is visiting an agent.

For example, a,b,c Three people, is the agent is a through B to C borrowing money, a know the existence of C. The reverse proxy is a to B to borrow money, B again to C, a do not know the existence of C.

Refer to: http://www.cnblogs.com/xdp-gacl/p/3706853.html

http://my.oschina.net/aiguozhe/blog/35732

The difference between a forward proxy server and a reverse proxy server