Learn how to set up OpenLiteSpeed as a reverse proxy. Our Server Management Support team is here to help you with your questions and concerns.

How to set up OpenLiteSpeed as a Reverse Proxy

OpenLiteSpeed is a powerful web server. It can be configured as a transparent reverse proxy for different backend web servers and application servers that support HTTP.

Today, we are going to look at how to set up OpenLiteSpeed as a reverse proxy.

1. First, we have to create a web server external application. This will define the backend server that OpenLiteSpeed will proxy requests to. To do this, we have to head to Server Configuration > External App > Add > Type > Web Server.
2. Then, we have to configure the backend server to listen to a specific address and port.
3. Now, we must decide which traffic to send to the external application via rewrite rules, contexts, or script handlers.
   • Method 1: Proxy with Context:

     First, head to WebAdmin console > Virtual Hosts > Your Virtual Host > Context > Add > Type > Proxy. Then, define the URI we want to proxy.
   • Method 2: Proxying with Script Handlers

     First, we have to access the WebAdmin console and head to Server Configuration or Virtual Hosts > Your Virtual Host > Script Handler > Add. Then, configure the script handler to route requests with a certain suffix to the web server external application.
   • Method 3: Proxying with Rewrite Rules

     First, we must create a new virtual host for the site we want to proxy to be heading to WebAdmin console > Virtual Hosts > Add. Then, add a rewrite rule to the virtual host configuration to send traffic to the proxy external application.

     For IP-based virtual hosting:

     
REWRITERULE ^(.*)$ HTTP://apache:8080/$1 [P]

     For name-based virtual hosting:

     RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
REWRITERULE ^(.*)$ HTTP://apachehttp/$1 [P,L,E=PROXY-HOST:WWW.EXAMPLE1.COM]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ HTTPS://apachehttps/$1 [P,L,E=PROXY-HOST:WWW.EXAMPLE1.COM]

4. Now, we have to head to Listeners > Your Listeners > Virtual Host Mappings > Add.
5. Then, choose the proxy virtual host and mention the domain we want.

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Conclusion

In brief, our Support Techs demonstrated how to set up OpenLiteSpeed as a reverse proxy.