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I'm currently using squid as a proxy server for my local network, but I'm not entirely satisfied with it. Is Nginx also suitable for use as a proxy server on a local network? Is it actively being used for this purpose?

Hyperfocus
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4 Answers4

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nginx can be considered a "reverse" proxy (due to its "upstream servers" functionality).... when in this role, it is effectively a "load balancer".

a "normal" proxy, such as squid http proxy, socks, etc. fetches content on end user behalf, and sits in front of end users, making TCP/IP calls out to the internet web servers and ideally caching content.

nginx, when run as a reverse proxy, sits in front of server endpoints, usually load balancing between them.... therefore "reverse"... do not applicable to your needs.

Squid is going to be your best bet for a "regular" http proxy... a proxy that gets and caches content for your endusers that sit behind it.

Dave M
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nandoP
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NGINX is many things, actually. It can be configured as both reverse or forward ("normal") proxy. The following is the list of application functions (capabilities) of NGINX:

  • Web Proxy (Reverse or Forward)
  • API Proxy
  • Web server
  • Load Balancer
  • WAF (Web Application Firewall)
  • Content cache
  • HTTP/2 gateway
  • TLS termination point

If you need 3 or more of these capabilities, I would go with NGINX, otherwise other solutions that offer one or two of these functions may be more appropriate (but requirements do change over time and in that regard NGINX, which is a small footprint component, may offer flexibility and satisfy future-state points of evolution).

Bran
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Nginx is a web server... so it is not being used to replace squid very frequently ;)

(Nginx proxy mode is different, it is used basically to transfer http requests to another server)

laurent
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As the other posters pointed out, nginx is a reverse proxy. This means it looks like a web server, and sits in front of other web servers that you would host. This isn't suitable for forward proxying (users on your LAN going out to the Internet).

If you're not satisfied with squid and you're open to a Windows platform, you could try an alternative, such as WinGate. Disclaimer, I work for Qbik who are the authors of WinGate

Adrien
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    I notice that you've posted very similar answers on multiple questions. Please review the help section on [how not to be a spammer](http://serverfault.com/help/promotion) – BE77Y Jun 07 '16 at 08:58
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    I should note that it does seem like you're being constructive - it just might be good to review that page so you're not blindsided by a moderator or similar at some point. – BE77Y Jun 07 '16 at 09:19