Reverse proxy concept in HLD - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a reverse proxy?

A reverse proxy is a server that sits between clients and backend servers. It receives client requests and forwards them to the appropriate backend server, then returns the server's response to the client.

intermediate

How does a reverse proxy improve security?

It hides the backend servers' details from clients, filters requests, blocks malicious traffic, and can enforce SSL/TLS encryption, protecting the backend servers from direct exposure.

beginner

Name two common uses of a reverse proxy.

1. Load balancing to distribute client requests across multiple servers. 2. Caching content to reduce backend load and improve response times.

intermediate

What is the difference between a reverse proxy and a forward proxy?

A reverse proxy serves backend servers and clients, hiding servers from clients. A forward proxy serves clients and hides clients from servers, often used to control client access to the internet.

intermediate

How does a reverse proxy help with scalability?

By distributing incoming requests to multiple backend servers, it prevents any single server from becoming overloaded, allowing the system to handle more users smoothly.

What role does a reverse proxy play in a web system?

A It acts as a client to access the internet

B It forwards client requests to backend servers

C It stores data permanently

D It replaces the backend servers

A reverse proxy receives client requests and forwards them to backend servers.

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using a reverse proxy?

A Directly storing user data

B Load balancing requests

C Hiding backend server details

D Caching responses

Reverse proxies do not directly store user data permanently; they may cache responses temporarily.

How does a reverse proxy improve security?

A By exposing backend servers to clients

B By storing client passwords

C By hiding backend servers and filtering traffic

D By replacing firewalls

It hides backend servers and filters incoming traffic to block threats.

What is a common use case for a reverse proxy?

A Distributing requests across servers

B Replacing DNS servers

C Encrypting client devices

D Controlling client internet access

Reverse proxies commonly distribute client requests to multiple backend servers.

Which statement best describes a forward proxy compared to a reverse proxy?

A Forward proxy hides backend servers

B Forward proxy forwards requests to backend servers

C Forward proxy caches backend data

D Forward proxy hides clients from servers

A forward proxy hides clients from servers, unlike a reverse proxy.

Explain what a reverse proxy is and how it works in a simple web system.

Think of it as a middleman between your browser and the website servers.

Describe three benefits of using a reverse proxy in system design.

Consider how it helps protect servers and handle many users.