HTTP Reverse Proxy - Hypertext Transfer Protocol Reverse Proxy

What is HTTP Reverse Proxy?

An HTTP Reverse Proxy is a server that sits between clients and backend servers. It receives HTTP requests from clients and forwards them to one or more backend servers. The response from the backend server is then sent back to the client through the proxy.

Why is HTTP Reverse Proxy useful?

HTTP Reverse Proxies are useful for: - Load balancing traffic across multiple servers - SSL termination (handling HTTPS on behalf of backend services) - Caching static content to improve performance - Security, by hiding internal server structure - Centralized logging and monitoring - Request filtering and routing

How it works?

The client sends an HTTP/HTTPS request to the reverse proxy. The proxy: - Examines the request - Selects an appropriate backend server (based on rules/load) - Forwards the request to that server - Receives the response - Sends it back to the client as if it originated from the proxy

Tools like NGINX, Apache, and HAProxy commonly implement this.

Where is HTTP Reverse Proxy used?

Used in: - Web server environments (e.g., to serve dynamic and static content) - Microservices architectures - API gateways - Cloud platforms - Content delivery and caching systems

Which OSI layer does this protocol belong to?

HTTP Reverse Proxy operates at the Application Layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model.

Is HTTP Reverse Proxy Windows specific?

No, it is not Windows specific. It can run on Windows, Linux, or any OS that supports HTTP server software.

Is HTTP Reverse Proxy Linux specific?

No, it is not Linux specific, although many reverse proxy tools (like NGINX or HAProxy) are commonly deployed on Linux servers.

Which Transport Protocol is used by HTTP Reverse Proxy?

HTTP Reverse Proxies typically use: - TCP for HTTP and HTTPS connections - TLS over TCP for secure communication (HTTPS)

Which Port is used by HTTP Reverse Proxy?

Common ports include: - Port 80 for HTTP - Port 443 for HTTPS - Custom ports may also be configured based on deployment

Is HTTP Reverse Proxy using Client server model?

Yes, it uses the client-server model: - Clients send requests to the proxy - The proxy acts as the server to the client and as a client to the backend servers

Topics in this section,

  • In this section, you are going to learn

  • Terminology

  • Version Info

  • rfc details

  • setup

  • setup

  • packet details

  • usecases

  • features

  • Reference links