Introduction to Nginx Reverse Proxy: Easily Achieve Frontend-Backend Separation
In a web front-end and back-end separation architecture, Nginx reverse proxy can solve problems such as cross-origin issues, complex domain name management, and back-end exposure. The reverse proxy acts as an intermediary server, so users access the back-end real service by visiting Nginx, which is transparent to users. When front-end and back-end are separated, reverse proxy can unify domain names (users only need to remember one domain name), hide the back-end address (enhancing security), and distribute requests by path (e.g., `/` for the front-end and `/api` for the back-end). Nginx is simple to install (Ubuntu uses `apt install nginx`, CentOS uses `yum install nginx`). The core of configuration is the `location` block: the front-end static files use `root` and `index` to point to the front-end directory, while the back-end API uses `proxy_pass` to forward to the real address, with `proxy_set_header` to pass header information. In practice, place the front-end files in the Nginx directory. After the back-end service is started, use `location` to distinguish paths. Nginx intercepts requests and forwards them, allowing users to complete front-end and back-end interaction by accessing a single domain name. Reverse proxy also supports extended functions such as load balancing and caching, making it a key tool in front-end and back-end separation architectures.
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