A reverse proxy is like a guardian for web servers. It sits between client devices (like browsers) and web servers, accepting requests from clients and directing them to the appropriate server to fulfill those requests. It's a way to balance the load on multiple servers and provide an extra layer of security and performance optimization for websites and web applications.
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Operational Direction: A reverse proxy is placed between a client and one or more backend servers. It serves as a gateway for client requests, forwarding those requests to the appropriate backend server or server cluster based on various criteria.
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Load Balancing: Reverse proxies are commonly used for load balancing across multiple servers, ensuring even distribution of incoming requests to maintain system performance.
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Security and Protection: They provide an additional layer of security by shielding backend servers from direct exposure to the internet. This helps protect servers from direct attacks.