Reverse Proxy
A server that sits in front of your services, routing requests by domain name and handling TLS certificates.
A reverse proxy like Nginx Proxy Manager, Traefik or Caddy gives each app a clean https:// URL on your own domain, automatically obtains Let's Encrypt certificates, and centralizes access control. It's an essential part of a tidy, secure self-hosted setup.
Without a reverse proxy you end up remembering a dozen different port numbers and juggling self-signed certificates; with one, every service gets a memorable hostname like photos.example.com and a valid certificate, and you expose only ports 80 and 443 instead of one per app. It's also the natural place to add a layer of authentication or single sign-on in front of apps that lack their own. Caddy is the simplest for config-as-code fans (automatic HTTPS with a tiny config), Nginx Proxy Manager offers a friendly point-and-click UI, and Traefik shines for dynamic Docker environments.
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Port Forwarding
A router rule that directs incoming internet traffic on a specific port to a device on your local network.
SSH(Secure Shell)
An encrypted protocol for securely logging into and managing servers over a network.
VPN(Virtual Private Network)
An encrypted tunnel that lets you securely access your home network from anywhere as if you were local.