Understand what a proxy server is and its classification

In this article, we will discuss:

• What is a proxy server

• Classification of proxy servers

What is a proxy server

A proxy server is an intermediary server that sits between the client and the target server, responsible for processing the client's request and forwarding it to the target server, while returning the target server's response to the client.

Using a proxy server, the following effects can be achieved:

• Privacy protection: The source of the request seen by the target server is the IP address of the proxy server, not the real IP address of the client.

  
  

• Content caching improves speed: By caching the content requested by the client, reducing requests to the target server, thereby increasing access speed

  
  

• Bypassing restrictions and blocking: The request seen by the target website is from the IP address of the proxy server, so it can help users bypass geographic restrictions and network blocking

Classification of proxy servers

Proxy servers can be classified according to different criteria, including IP address source, protocol type, IP stability duration, and anonymity. Below we introduce these classifications and their characteristics in detail.

Classification by IP address source

Proxy servers can be classified into residential proxies , datacenter proxies , and mobile proxies according to the source of their IP addresses. Specifically, these classifications are based on the source and characteristics of the proxy server IP addresses:

Residential proxies

- IP address source: The IP addresses of residential proxies come from actual home networks and are usually assigned to individual users through real Internet service providers (ISPs).

- Features:

- Authenticity: Looks like the IP addresses of ordinary home users.

- Stealth: It is more difficult to detect as a proxy because they come from a real home network.

- Application scenarios: Used for activities that require high privacy protection, bypassing geographic restrictions, crawling data, etc. Suitable for situations where real user behavior needs to be simulated.

Datacenter proxies

- IP address source: The IP addresses of datacenter proxies come from servers in data centers or cloud service providers. Data centers usually provide virtual servers or physical servers, and proxy services usually run on these servers.

- Features:

- Performance: Usually provides high bandwidth and stability.

- Detectability: Relatively easy to identify as a proxy because their IP addresses usually belong to the IP segment of the data center.

- Application scenarios: Used for applications that require large amounts of traffic and high performance, such as large-scale data crawling, automated tasks, etc.

Mobile proxy

- IP address source: The IP address of a mobile proxy comes from the device of a mobile network operator, such as a smartphone or other mobile device. IP addresses assigned through a mobile network (e.g. 4G/5G).

- Features:

- Dynamicity: Mobile IP addresses can change frequently, similar to the Internet behavior of ordinary mobile users.

- Concealment: More concealed and difficult to detect because they mimic the network activities of real mobile device users.

- Application scenarios: Suitable for situations where mobile device user behavior needs to be simulated, such as mobile advertising testing, mobile application crawling, etc.

Classification by protocol type

HTTP proxy

- Protocol support: Only handles HTTP protocol.

- Function: Used to process web browsing requests and responses, supporting caching and filtering functions.

- Application scenarios: Mainly used for web browsing and content filtering. Commonly used in network management and control within enterprises.

HTTPS Proxy

- Protocol Support: Handles the HTTPS protocol, which is an encrypted version of HTTP.

- Function: Allows encrypted web traffic to pass through the proxy server. Supports encryption and decryption of HTTPS requests and responses.

- Application scenarios: Used for secure web access, protecting the privacy of data transmission, and often used for online activities that require confidentiality.

SOCKS Proxy

- Protocol Support: Supports multiple protocols, including TCP and UDP.

- Function: Proxy all types of network traffic, not just HTTP or HTTPS. Provides flexibility and wide application support.

- Application scenarios: Suitable for various network applications, including web browsing, P2P downloads, email, etc. Common versions are SOCKS4 and SOCKS5, of which SOCKS5 provides more advanced authentication and security features.

Classification by IP Stability Duration

According to the IP stability duration, proxy servers can be divided into the following categories:

Static IP Proxy

- IP Stability Duration: The IP address is fixed.

- Features:

- High stability: Since the IP address does not change, the connection is stable, which is suitable for application scenarios that need to maintain the same IP for a long time.

- Application scenarios: Suitable for situations that require continuous and stable connections, such as remote work, long-term data capture, and service access that requires a fixed IP.

Dynamic IP proxy

- IP stability duration: The IP address will be changed regularly or irregularly.

- Features:

- High concealment: Regularly changing the IP address can enhance anonymity and prevent tracking.

- Application scenarios: Suitable for scenarios that require frequent changes in IP addresses, such as data capture, avoiding IP blocking, and performing anonymous operations.

Rotating IP proxy

- IP stability duration: The IP address automatically rotates according to predetermined rules or intervals.

- Features:

- Automation: The proxy server automatically rotates the IP address, usually at a certain time interval or number of requests.

- Application scenarios: Suitable for situations that require a large number of requests but do not want the IP to be blocked, such as high-frequency data capture, automated testing, etc.

Classification by IP address source

Transparent proxy

- Anonymity: No anonymity.

- Features:

- IP address exposure: Transparent proxy does not hide the client's IP address. The server can see the real IP address and other request information.

- Function: Usually used for content filtering, caching, and traffic monitoring. Users usually do not realize that they are using a transparent proxy.

- Application scenario: Network management and control within an enterprise or organization, aimed at monitoring and optimizing network traffic.

Ordinary anonymous proxy

- Anonymity: Partial anonymity.

- Features:

- Hide IP address: Hide the client's real IP address, but the proxy server's information (for example, the proxy server's IP address and type) may be revealed in the request.

- Function: Provides a certain degree of privacy protection, but the server knows that the request is made through the proxy.

- Application scenario: Used for basic privacy protection and bypassing geographical restrictions, but does not completely hide the user's network activities.

High anonymous proxy

- Anonymity: High anonymity.

- Features:

- Completely hide IP address: High anonymous proxy not only hides the client's real IP address, but also avoids revealing the existence of the proxy to the server.

- Function: Ensure complete concealment of the client's identity by changing or removing request header information. The server cannot discover the user's real IP through the proxy.

- Application scenarios: Used for activities that require high privacy protection and anonymity, such as avoiding tracking, protecting personal privacy, and bypassing strict geographical restrictions.

Summary

Proxy servers have a wide range of applications in modern networks, and different types of proxy servers play an important role in privacy protection, content access, speed improvement, and network security.

Understanding different types of proxy servers and their application scenarios can help you better choose a proxy service provider that suits your needs. Whether it is for privacy protection, bypassing geographical restrictions, or improving network performance, choosing the right proxy server will be a key step in achieving these goals.