Acceleration
A cache serves as a buffer in which frequently used data is temporarily stored for faster re-access. Caching enables a proxy server to answer regularly used data (e.g. web pages) or repetitive requests faster. This can save bandwidth and shorten response times.
Load balancing and bandwidth savings
In addition, a proxy server is able to control bandwidth and load balancing. This is made possible by allocating bandwidth to clients and thus optimally utilizing resources. For example, blocking of transmission capacity by one or more clients can be prevented. If there are several lines or interfaces, the proxy ensures that the load is distributed uniformly.
Filtering
Proxy servers offer network administrators the ability to actively filter and control local traffic. For example, certain websites can be blocked or influenced through the use of whitelists and blacklists. Local users behind the proxy are thus not granted access to these websites. When blocked websites are called up, a redirect may follow, indicating that the desired website is not available.
Obfuscation
The client sends a request to the proxy server. The proxy server processes the request and forwards it to the router with the IP address of the proxy server. Finally, the router passes the request to the Internet. Thus, the actual IP address of the client is not published and the client origin can be partially obfuscated.
