Working With Reverse Proxy Servers For PeopleSoft Implementations

PeopleSoft applications support the use of reverse proxy servers (RPS) with WebLogic. When using an RPS, the RPS provides the URL to which the browsers connect, but another web server handles the actual transaction processing. Implementing the use of RPS servers provides an additional protective layer between the content server and the internet.

A reverse proxy is a server that appears to outside clients to be the content server. It relays requests from outside the firewall to servers behind the firewall, and delivers retrieved content back to the client. A firewall rule allows access only to the proxy server, so that the content servers are protected. The proxy server changes URLs listed in the headers of any messages generated by the content servers, so that external clients are given no information about the servers behind the firewall. No configuration of clients is necessary with a reverse proxy (the client makes requests for content in the name-space of the reverse proxy). The reverse proxy decides where to send the requests, and returns the content as if it was the origin server.

See Web Server Proxy Plug-ins for configuring supported reverse proxy servers.