• Most servers have reverse proxy functions.stock illustration of computer server icon image by Ruslana Stovner from Fotolia.com
  
  When you click to make a purchase online, say a book from an online bookseller, it appears as if you're interacting with a single server. However, for security and efficiency reasons, complicated, modern websites rarely rely on a single server. Information like credit card details is stored in one server, pictures and description of the book in another, advertisements in still another and so on. All these servers are hidden from you, usually with a firewall, and the reverse proxy is the gatekeeper.
  
  

Apache

• Apache is the most common server software in the world.indien d'am??rique image by piccaya from Fotolia.com
  
  According the February 2009 Netcraft Web Sever Survey, Apache is the most commonly used server software on planet Earth. It is used by more than 100 million sites, and if offers reverse proxy functionality. See the mod_proxy module in Apache to configure your server to set up reverse proxy. Apache is open-source software and is free to download.
  
  

Microsoft

• The world's second-most used server software also features reverse proxy capabilities. Like all reverse proxies, this allows you to receive information from networks behind a firewall without compromising security. For instructions on how to start reverse proxy in Microsoft servers, see References.
  
  

Squid

• Squid, the open-source proxy server.grilled squid image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com
  
  Originally designed to run on Unix machines, Squid is now compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris and multiple other platforms. It is issued under the GNU General Public License. Like Apache, it is free software. For instructions on how to configure your server and set up reverse proxy in Squid, see References.
  
  

Other Alternatives

• In addition to Apache, Microsoft and Squid, almost any other server software can be configured to enable reverse proxy. The server manual is the best place to start if you are interested in learning more.