A proxy server is a computer that offers a computer
network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections
to other network services. A client connects to the proxy server,
then requests a connection, file, or other resource available on a
different server. The proxy provides the resource either by connecting
to the specified server or by serving it from a cache. In some cases,
the proxy may alter the client's request or the server's response
for various purposes.
A common proxy application is a caching Web proxy or unblockers
as some call them. This provides a nearby cache of Web pages and
files available on remote Web servers, allowing local network clients
to access them more quickly or reliably. |