“In Windows Server 2012 R2, what is used as a reverse proxy?” you may ask. The answer is the Web Application Proxy or WAP. It is a role service of the Remote Access server role.
The Web Application Proxy, part of the Remote Access server role in Windows Server 2012 R2, has become crucial for many organizations. It’s a reliable solution for handling reverse proxy needs, acting as an intermediary for clients accessing web applications within your network.
This allows users on different devices to reach your web apps, even from outside the corporate network. In our digital and remote work-centric world, it’s a vital tool for enhancing network flexibility and accessibility.
Functionality
The Web Application Proxy in Windows Server 2012 R2 provides reverse proxy functionality for web applications inside your corporate network. This allows users on any device to access your web applications from outside the corporate network.
Use Cases
A very common reverse proxy scenario in Windows Server 2012 R2 is to make available several internal web applications over the Internet. An Internet-accessible Web server is used as a reverse-proxy server that receives Web requests and then forwards them to several intranet applications for processing.
Configuration
The basic setup for the reverse proxy in Windows Server 2012 R2 is now complete, with IIS able to capture incoming traffic and forward it to the backend server, and inspect responses from the backend server and rewrite URL links inside the responses to match the host headers that IIS uses to publish the site.
Enabling Reverse Proxy
“In Windows Server 2012 R2, what is used as a reverse proxy?” The answer remains the same: The Web Application Proxy. However, it’s important to note that this Reverse Proxy functionality is disabled by default, so you must begin by enabling it. Select a server node in the tree view on the left hand side and then click on the “Application Request Routing” feature.
Federation Server Proxy
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) in Windows Server 2012 R2, the role of a federation server proxy is handled by a new Remote Access role service called Web Application Proxy.
Conclusion
The Web Application Proxy in Windows Server 2012 R2 provides a versatile tool for implementing complex and flexible load balancing and reverse proxy configurations. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that internal web applications are accessible over the Internet, thereby enhancing connectivity and productivity within corporate networks.
