Nginx Reverse Proxy: An Introduction to Load Balancing on Linux Servers

### Introduction to Nginx Reverse Proxy and Load Balancing **Core Functions**: Reverse proxy hides backend servers and unifies user access; load balancing distributes pressure across multiple servers to avoid single-point overload. **Reverse Proxy**: Similar to a "front desk receptionist," it receives user requests and forwards them to backend servers. Users need not know the specific backend servers, enhancing security and management efficiency. **Load Balancing**: When there are multiple backend servers, Nginx uses the `upstream` module to distribute requests. The default "round-robin" strategy can be adjusted as needed: - **Weighted Round-Robin**: Distributes requests by `weight` (e.g., `server 192.168.1.101 weight=5`); - **IP Hash**: Fixes user requests to a specific server (`ip_hash` directive). **Configuration Steps**: 1. Define backend server group: `upstream backend_servers { server 192.168.1.101; server 192.168.1.102; }`; 2. Configure reverse proxy: `proxy_pass http://backend_servers;` with `proxy_set_header` to forward request headers; 3. Test configuration.