A proxy server is a computer system or application that acts as an intermediary to access another network, system or service. It can provide a variety of services such as:
1. Access control: Proxy servers can be used to control access to a network or system. For example, certain users or groups can be restricted from accessing certain websites or services.
2. Access security: A proxy server can be used to improve the security of a network or system. For example, it can inspect all traffic passing through the proxy server and filter out malware or other harmful content.
3. Caching: Proxy servers can be used to cache frequently visited web pages or files so that they can be served more quickly the next time the user visits.
4. Load balancing: Proxy servers can be used to spread the load of the network or system to multiple servers, thereby improving performance and reliability.
5. Anonymous proxy: Anonymous proxy servers can be used to hide users’ real IP addresses, thereby protecting their privacy.
Proxy servers are usually deployed at the boundary of a network or system to protect the security and performance of the network or system. It can be implemented by a variety of hardware or software, for example, you can use dedicated proxy server hardware, or you can use a general-purpose computer or server to run proxy server software.