"Proxy Server vs Reverse Proxy – What’s the Key Difference and Use Cases?"
Hey everyone! I’ve been reading up on proxy server vs reverse proxy, but tbh, I’m still a bit confused. Like, I get that both handle traffic, but when would you use one over the other?
From what I understand:
- A *proxy server* sits between a client (like my laptop) and the internet. It hides my IP, filters stuff, or caches data.
- A *reverse proxy* sits in front of servers, handling requests for them—like load balancing or hiding server IPs.
But when would I pick one vs the other? If I’m setting up a website, is a reverse proxy the way to go? Or do I need both?
Any simple examples or real-world use cases would be super helpful! Thanks in advance
(P.S. Sorry if this has been asked before—I did a quick search but still fuzzy on the details.)
Hey everyone! I’ve been reading up on proxy server vs reverse proxy, but tbh, I’m still a bit confused. Like, I get that both handle traffic, but when would you use one over the other?
From what I understand:
- A *proxy server* sits between a client (like my laptop) and the internet. It hides my IP, filters stuff, or caches data.
- A *reverse proxy* sits in front of servers, handling requests for them—like load balancing or hiding server IPs.
But when would I pick one vs the other? If I’m setting up a website, is a reverse proxy the way to go? Or do I need both?
Any simple examples or real-world use cases would be super helpful! Thanks in advance
(P.S. Sorry if this has been asked before—I did a quick search but still fuzzy on the details.)