- Nginx is a web server that can also be used as a reverse proxy, load balancer, mail proxy and HTTP cache. Oops, it is a lot of information. Don't worry we will check one by one in the below section.
Reverse Proxy
- Forward Proxy - A forward proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client and the internet. It sends requests on behalf of the client, hiding the client’s identity and sometimes controlling access to certain websites.
Imagine you want to buy a book without revealing your identity. You ask a friend to buy it for you. Your friend goes to the bookstore, buys the book, and brings it back to you. Here, your friend is like a forward proxy, hiding your identity from the bookstore.
- Reverse Proxy - A reverse proxy server sits in front of web servers and forwards client requests to the appropriate server. It helps manage traffic, improve security, and balance the load on the servers.
Think of a popular restaurant with a host at the entrance. Guests tell the host their orders, and the host communicates with the kitchen. The host then brings the food back to the guests. In this case, the host acts as a reverse proxy, managing and directing requests to the kitchen and back to the guests.
Load Balance
- Method in which it spreads incoming traffic across multiple servers to prevent any single server from getting overwhelmed, ensuring better performance and reliability.
Imagine an online store during a big sale. Instead of all customers being served by one cashier, multiple cashiers are available to help, reducing wait times and keeping things running smoothly.
Mail proxy
- Server that sits between email clients (like your email app) and email servers. It helps manage and route email traffic, ensuring emails are delivered efficiently and securely.
Think of it like a post office that sorts and directs mail to the correct addresses, making sure everything gets to where it needs to go without delays. When you send an email, the mail proxy checks it and then forwards it to the recipient’s email server, ensuring it reaches the right destination quickly and safely.
HTTP Cache
- System that stores copies of web content (like images, HTML pages, and files) to serve them quickly to users. This reduces the need to fetch the same data repeatedly from the server, speeding up load times and reducing server load.
Think of it like a library that keeps popular books on hand so you don’t have to wait for them to be ordered every time someone wants to read them. When you visit a website, the images and files are stored in the cache. The next time you visit, the site loads faster because it uses the stored copies instead of downloading everything again.
- Nginx is a versatile tool that serves web pages, acts as a reverse proxy, balances traffic across servers, manages email routing, and caches content for faster delivery. It is fast, efficient and easy to set up making it great choice for managing web traffic.
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