Proxy Server

Proxy server is defined as software system or dedicated computer that is running on computer, which acts as intermediary in between computer and server through which client or user is requesting service. Proxy server might exist in similar machine as firewall server or proxy server might be on separate server that forwards the requests via firewall.

The biggest benefit of proxy server is its cached could cater to every user. If one, two or more websites are requested frequently, these are expected to be in cache of the proxy that will enhance the response time of user. Additionally, proxy could log the interactions that could be useful for troubleshooting.

How proxy server work?

When proxy server accepts request for Internet resource (like Web page), it seems in the local cache of the earlier pages. In case it find page, then it returns the same to user with no need to forward request to web. If page is not included in cache, then proxy server act as client on the behalf of user and uses it uses its IP addresses in order to request page through server on the web. The moment page is reverted, proxy server shares it to original request as well as forward the same to user.

They are utilized for legal as well as illegal purposes. In an organization, proxy server is utilized in order to facilitate the administrative control, security or caching the services amongst other purposes. Apart from this, proxy servers are utilized to enable the anonymous surfing and user privacy. In addition, these servers could also be utilized to monitor the traffic as well as challenge the user privacy.

To user, proxy server is not visible, all returned responses and internet requests seems to be direct with addressed internet server. (Actually, the proxy is not invisible, the IP address of proxy need to be stated as configuration to web browser or protocol program.)

Besides, users or clients can easily access the web proxy online as well configure the web browsers in order to continuously utilize the proxy server. The browser settings contains manual and automatically detected options for SSL, FTP, SOCKS and HTTP proxies. The proxy servers can serve to a lot of users or one server per user. The options are known as shared as well as dedicated proxies. There are plenty of reasons for the proxies; hence, numerous kinds of proxy servers in the overlapping categories.