välipalvelimien

Välipalvelin, or intermediate server, is a computer system that acts as a bridge or intermediary between clients and other servers. It sits between the end-user device and the destination server, handling requests and responses. This role can encompass various functions, such as caching data to speed up access for frequently requested content, filtering or modifying traffic for security or policy enforcement, and distributing requests across multiple backend servers to improve performance and reliability.

A common type of välipalvelin is a proxy server. A forward proxy, for instance, sits in front of a group of client machines, intercepting their requests to the internet. This allows for centralized control over internet access, content filtering, and anonymity. A reverse proxy, on the other hand, sits in front of one or more web servers, intercepting requests from the internet to those servers. This is often used for load balancing, SSL encryption/decryption, and caching.

Välipalvelimet play a crucial role in modern network architecture. They enhance security by acting as a single point of access and control, improve efficiency by reducing latency through caching and load distribution, and provide valuable management capabilities for network administrators. Their implementation can range from simple caching proxies to complex application delivery controllers.