# Load Balancing and Proxies

> Master load balancing and proxy architectures. Learn to configure reverse proxies, exploit SSRF and cache poisoning, and defend enterprise traffic routing.

Canonical: https://codelivly.com/rooms/load-balancing-and-proxies
Last updated: 2026-09-04

| | |
|---|---|
| Level | Intermediate |
| Category | Networking |
| Lessons | 5 |
| Estimated time | 30 min |
| XP | 200 |

Load balancers and proxies are the traffic directors of enterprise networks, but they also represent a critical security boundary. This module explores the mechanics of Layer 4 and Layer 7 load balancing, forward and reverse proxy architectures, and the security implications of traffic routing. You will learn how attackers exploit proxy misconfigurations for Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), cache poisoning, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) bypasses. Finally, you will implement defensive controls, including secure HAProxy/Nginx configurations, strict header validation, and rate limiting to protect your infrastructure.

## Lessons

1. What Is Load Balancing and Why Does It Matter (30 min)
2. Layer 4 vs Layer 7 Load Balancing (30 min)
3. Load Balancing Algorithms (30 min)
4. Forward vs Reverse Proxies (30 min)
5. Guided Lab: Configuring a Reverse Proxy with Load Balancing (30 min)

## Related

- [Learning path: Network Services Administration](https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/network-services-administration)
- [All rooms](https://codelivly.com/rooms)