Is CDN a reverse proxy, just like a load balancer or an API gateway?
Yes. While LB and API gateway fit the classic definition of a Reverse Proxy, CDN is also a reverse proxy with caching as its primary purpose. Like any other reverse proxy,
- CDN acts as a single point of entry for client requests,
- CDN abstracts out different origins configured behind it
- CDN can also route the requests across multiple origins depending on the route-matching configuration.
Hence, the deduction is on point, and LB, API Gateway, and CDN are all examples of Reverse Proxies. I elaborated on CDN, as it is an unconventional example.
ps: I love how the comments on my YouTube videos are also no-fluff and filled with thought-provoking questions. Thank you for asking such great questions.
By the way, the question was asked in my recent video on Forward and Reverse Proxy. In the video, I went into highly practical details with real-world examples and stories from my life.
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