Reverse proxy
A reverse proxy is a server that sits in front of one or more backend servers and forwards incoming client requests to them, returning the response as if it came from the proxy itself. Clients only ever see the reverse proxy's address, never the backend servers directly, which lets an operator load-balance traffic across multiple servers, terminate TLS in one place, cache responses, and hide internal network layout. This is the opposite of a forward proxy, which sits in front of clients and forwards their requests outward on their behalf. Reverse proxies commonly add or rewrite headers such as X-Forwarded-For and Via as a request passes through, which is why a site's response headers often reveal that a reverse proxy, CDN, or load balancer is in the path even when the real backend stays hidden.
By AdminKit team, Netbase JSC · Updated