Reverse Proxy Overview Answers 1. What is a key benefit of using secure certificates like SSL/TLS on a reverse proxy? A. They allow for faster data transmission speeds. B. They eliminate the need for firewalls in the network. C. They enhance authentication mechanisms for users. D. They provide encrypted communication between clients and servers. Answer: They provide encrypted communication between clients and servers. (D) Secure certificates ensure that the data transmitted between the client and server is encrypted, protecting it from eavesdroppers. 2. Which algorithm is commonly used for load balancing in reverse proxies? A. Priority-based scheduling B. Round-robin C. First-come, first-served D. Depth-first search Answer: Round-robin (B) Round-robin is a widely used load balancing algorithm that distributes requests evenly across all available servers. 3. What is a characteristic of a transparent proxy? A. It does not alter requests or responses but acts as an intermediary. B. It solely focuses on data caching and storage. C. It is visible to the client during communication. D. It modifies the requests and responses before sending them. Answer: It does not alter requests or responses but acts as an intermediary. (A) Transparent proxies operate without modifying requests or responses, remaining invisible to clients. 4. What is an essential practice for maintaining security on a reverse proxy? A. Implementing a single layer of authentication. B. Regularly updating software to the latest version. C. Avoiding the use of encryption in communications. D. Allowing all incoming requests without filtering. Answer: Regularly updating software to the latest version. (B) Regular software updates are crucial to protect the reverse proxy from known vulnerabilities. 5. What distinguishes hardware-based reverse proxies from software-based ones? A. Hardware-based proxies are more scalable in nature. B. Hardware-based proxies usually have lower upfront costs. C. Software-based proxies require less management overhead. D. Software-based proxies provide better security features. Answer: Hardware-based proxies are more scalable in nature. (A) Hardware-based reverse proxies typically offer better scalability compared to software-based solutions. 6. What is one of the primary roles of a reverse proxy? A. Enforce client-side security policies B. Direct client access to backend servers C. Cache all types of content permanently D. Distribute incoming client requests among multiple backend servers Answer: Distribute incoming client requests among multiple backend servers (D) A reverse proxy distributes incoming requests to prevent overload on any single backend server. 7. Which of the following is NOT a function of a reverse proxy? A. SSL termination B. Traffic management C. Direct database access D. Client authentication Answer: Direct database access (C) Reverse proxies do not provide direct database access; they focus on clientserver interactions. 8. How does a reverse proxy enhance security for backend servers? A. By allowing direct server access to clients B. By handling client-side authentication only C. By enabling client-side caching D. By filtering and validating incoming requests Answer: By filtering and validating incoming requests (D) The reverse proxy enhances security by filtering incoming requests and enforcing security policies. 9. Which benefit describes the ability to add more backend servers without changing client configurations? A. Scalability B. Centralized management C. Load balancing D. Caching Answer: Scalability (A) Scalability refers to the ease of adding backend servers without requiring changes to the client-side setup. 10. What is SSL termination in the context of a reverse proxy? A. The encryption of data before reaching the client B. The processing and decrypting of secure client connections C. The transfer of data directly between clients and servers D. The creation of backup servers Answer: The processing and decrypting of secure client connections (B) SSL termination involves the reverse proxy handling secure connections by decrypting the traffic. 11. Which software is known for being a high-performance, opensource reverse proxy? A. Tomcat B. Nginx C. Oracle WebLogic D. Microsoft IIS Answer: Nginx (B) Nginx is recognized for its speed and versatility as a high-performance reverse proxy. 12. What is a key function of caching in a reverse proxy? A. Encrypting all outgoing traffic B. Monitoring traffic flow for analytics C. Storing frequently accessed content to reduce response times D. Directly handling client requests Answer: Storing frequently accessed content to reduce response times (C) Caching is utilized to store frequently accessed content, improving response times for client requests. 13. How does a reverse proxy simplify client configurations? A. By encrypting all backend communications B. By limiting traffic management capabilities C. By routing all requests through a single entry point D. By allowing clients to interact with multiple backend servers directly Answer: By routing all requests through a single entry point (C) A reverse proxy simplifies client configurations by providing a single point of entry for multiple backend services.