Consider an example where myifolder.organization.com/ifolderapp is an internal ifolder application server and external users need to access this server using the URL www.myifolder.organization.com. In this scenario, mod proxy can enable the external users to access the internal iFolder application server by rewriting the external URL < a href = http://myifolder.organization.com/ifolderapp> foobar </a> to < a href = http://www.myifolder.organization.com”> foobar </a>. This enables external users to access the internal iFolder application server without directly exposing the server.
The following figure illustrates how the port forwarding mechanism can be used in conjunction with mod proxy to handle requests from external users.
Figure 12-3 Port Forwarding and Mod Proxy
The following sections describe port forwarding and mod proxy.