Reverse Proxy
A Reverse Proxy is an intermediate server that intercepts requests from client applications and forwards them to one or more backend origin servers. The reverse proxy terminates TLS, applies security filtering, caches responses, and returns the result to the client as if it originated from the proxy itself.
Technical Architecture & Deep-Dive
Unlike a forward proxy (which hides client identities from servers), a reverse proxy hides backend origin servers from clients. All client communication terminates at the proxy.
Modern edge reverse proxies operate globally without centralized server clusters. By running on distributed serverless nodes, they handle DDoS protection, TLS certificate management, request header manipulation, and payload slimming in single-digit milliseconds before traffic reaches origins.
Key Architectural Benefits
Implement Reverse Proxy at the Edge
Deploy lightweight API aggregation, edge caching, and secret injection in minutes without Docker containers or complex servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the difference between a reverse proxy and an API gateway?
A reverse proxy handles fundamental routing, caching, and TLS termination. An API Gateway builds upon reverse proxy capabilities by adding API-specific features like payload transformation, composite aggregation, rate limiting, and token translation.
Related Architecture Concepts
Backend for Frontend (BFF) is an architectural pattern where a dedicated gateway layer is created for a specific frontend client (e.g., iOS, Android, React). Instead of clients calling multiple generic backend APIs, the edge BFF aggregates upstream calls, injects credentials, and strips unneeded payload fields before transmission.
Edge Caching is the practice of storing computed API responses on globally distributed Point of Presence (PoP) servers situated geographically close to users. By serving cached responses directly from edge memory, requests achieve sub-10ms latencies while offloading 95%+ of traffic from origin databases.
Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) is a browser security protocol that restricts web applications from making API requests to a different domain unless the server explicitly grants permission via HTTP headers. Edge proxies resolve CORS errors by terminating browser preflight OPTIONS requests directly at the edge.
Custom Domain Edge Routing allows developers to map their own branded domain (e.g., api.yourdomain.com) to edge infrastructure via CNAME and automated TLS issuance. This creates white-labeled API endpoints, prevents third-party ad-blocker filtering, and enhances brand authority.