Reverse proxy
A reverse proxy is a server that receives requests from clients, retrieves resources from one or more servers behind it, and returns them as if they came from the proxy.
On this page
Source content checked . English translation published 2026-10-27.
In business automation
When several services run on one server, the visitor does not communicate with each of them directly. A reverse proxy receives the request, retrieves the resource from a server behind it, and returns it as if it came from the proxy. In this guide, the term appears alongside proxy server and load balancing.
Examples
These examples illustrate a possible workflow. Adapt the connections and rules to your own systems.
One address for two services on the same server
A business deploys an internal tool and a website on the same server. The visitor connects to one address. The proxy layer routes requests to the right service based on the path, without exposing the internal port in the browser.
Relevant tools
- Coolify
- A deployment on your own server sometimes goes through an entry layer. A reverse proxy is a network pattern. Check the official documentation for how paths are mapped, without assuming a particular configuration.
What to check
- Confusing a reverse proxy with an outbound proxy makes it harder to understand which one hides the server and which one hides the client.