Commonly confused

Reverse proxy vs Load balancer

A reverse proxy fronts servers for TLS and routing. A load balancer specializes in spreading traffic across targets.

Reverse proxy

A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary server that sits in front of one or more web servers, intercepting client requests and forwarding them to the appropriate backend server. It receives requests from clients on behalf of the web servers and then forwards those requests to.

A reverse proxy is an intermediary server protecting backend servers by intercepting client requests and forwarding them.

Full PathTerms™ definition

Load balancer

A load balancer is a device or software that distributes network traffic across multiple servers. It acts as a traffic manager, directing incoming requests to available servers to prevent any single server from becoming overwhelmed. This distribution ensures high availability.

A load balancer distributes network traffic across multiple servers, ensuring high availability and preventing overload. It's vital for reliable applica...

Full PathTerms™ definition

Why it matters

People mix up Reverse proxy and Load balancer in exam questions and job posts. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right control, process, or architecture choice.

How to remember the difference

A reverse proxy fronts servers for TLS and routing. A load balancer specializes in spreading traffic across targets.

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