A reverse proxy is a server that sits between client devices, like your computer or smartphone, and a web server, which is where a website's data is stored. When you request to view a webpage, the reverse proxy decides where to route that request. Instead of allowing direct communication between the client and web server, the reverse proxy intercepts requests and responses, forwarding them accordingly.
Functions of a Reverse Proxy
Load Balancing
A reverse proxy distributes incoming requests to a pool of servers. This ensures that no single server gets overwhelmed, improving website performance and reliability.
Caching
Reverse proxies can store copies of responses from the web server. When the same information is requested again, the reverse proxy can provide it without going back to the web server, speeding up response times.
Security
By acting as an intermediary, a reverse proxy can help shield the web server from malicious attacks. It can block certain types of traffic and requests, enhancing the security of the server and data.
SSL Termination
The reverse proxy can handle the encryption and decryption of data, relieving the web server from this computational burden. This makes the web server's operation more efficient.
This is in contrast to a standard, or forward proxy which sits in front of client(s) and communicates with the rest of the internet on behalf of those clients.