Types of Proxies and Their Functions

Proxy servers are intermediaries between systems within a network. They can either be applications or an actual computer system. Proxies have various functions hence the various types of these servers as we strive to classify them according to their designed purpose. We'll go over each type of proxy server and describe each one's purpose briefly.

Generally we can classify proxy servers under two broad functions or types, which are: 1) keeping a machine or computer system anonymous; and 2) caching information for faster access. Proxies can be placed at any point in between your computer and the destination server that hosts the information you need, which means anywhere along the network path or network cloud.

We can further classify proxies according to their specific function, which will generally fall under any of the two previously mentioned general functions. Here are the various proxy servers you'll encounter online:

Content Filter Proxy: Schools, businesses, and other institutions often have content filtering proxy servers to maintain some form of administrative control over what can information can be accessed within the premises. These organizations usually have policies that define what sites or online information is acceptable and what is not.

This might be one of the most common proxies you have encountered since they are commonly placed in public and private/commercial institutions like libraries, schools, businesses, churches, and other similar organizations.

Web Proxy Server: True to its name, this server mainly functions to monitor and cache web traffic. One direct benefit you get from this server is the reduction of bandwidth usage. Whatever document or web page you usually view or access will be cached in this server thus any further request for that same page will be a lot faster.

Caching Proxy Server: This is the very first kind of proxy server ever to be made. The web proxy server is an offshoot of a server of this type. This type of server is pretty much like a web proxy only that it isn't confined to information accessed on the web. Large businesses and ISPs make use of these servers to increase their system's performance. Another benefit garnered from this server is reduction in hardware cost.

Anonymizing Proxy: These proxies allow you to surf the web anonymously.

Intercepting Proxy: These function as gateways and any traffic within a network is routed to this server, sometimes without the knowledge of the client system or user. These servers are often used in businesses in administration of company policies.

Reverse Proxy: This server is often installed within a network of other web servers. It is installed mainly to increase the level of security and manage the network load.

Circumventor: These servers allow you to bypass blocks, restrictions, or content filters.Peter Garant has written many articles about Internet Proxies for a recently launched website about Proxy Sites.