Reverse Proxy Caching

Reverse proxy caching is a web performance optimization technique where a reverse proxy server stores copies of frequently requested content (like web pages, images, or API responses) to serve subsequent requests faster. It sits between clients and backend servers, intercepting requests and returning cached responses when available, reducing load on origin servers. This improves response times, decreases bandwidth usage, and enhances scalability for web applications.

Also known as: Reverse Proxy Cache, Proxy Caching, HTTP Caching Proxy, Web Cache, Edge Caching

Why learn Reverse Proxy Caching?

Developers should implement reverse proxy caching when building high-traffic websites, APIs, or applications where performance and scalability are critical, such as e-commerce platforms, content-heavy sites, or microservices architectures. It's particularly useful for static assets, read-heavy endpoints, and content that changes infrequently, as it reduces server load and improves user experience by delivering content faster. Use it to handle traffic spikes efficiently and lower infrastructure costs by minimizing backend processing.

Learning Resources

• docs: NGINX Reverse Proxy Caching Guide
• docs: Varnish Cache Documentation
• tutorial: Reverse Proxy Caching Tutorial by DigitalOcean
• docs: HTTP Caching Explained - MDN Web Docs
• course: Reverse Proxy Caching Course on Udemy