* A proxy server is an intermediary server that acts as a gateway between the internet and the users. It has its own IP address, so the internet activities appear to be coming from the proxy server instead of the users' devices1.
* A proxy server can provide several benefits, such as caching web pages, filtering content, bypassing geo-restrictions, and enhancing privacy and security1.
* A proxy server can be configured to allow or deny access to certain websites or protocols based on the corporate network policy1.
* A VPN client is a software application that creates an encrypted tunnel between the user's device and a VPN server. A VPN client can also change the user's IP address, but it does so for the entire operating system, not just for specific applications2.
* A VPN client can provide more security and privacy than a proxy server, but it also requires more resources and may slow down the internet connection2.
* A VPN client is usually used to access remote networks or bypass censorship, not to comply with corporate network policy2.
* A bridge is a network device that connects two or more network segments and forwards data frames based on their MAC addresses3.
* A bridge can increase the performance and security of a network by reducing collisions and filtering traffic3.
* A bridge does not change the IP address of the users or the network segments, nor does it provide any gateway function to the internet3.
* A bridge is usually used to extend or segment a local area network (LAN), not to connect to the internet3.
* A VLAN is a logical grouping of network devices that share the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical location or connection.
* A VLAN can improve the performance, security, and management of a network by reducing broadcast traffic, isolating network segments, and enforcing access control policies.
* A VLAN does not change the IP address of the users or the network devices, nor does it provide any gateway function to the internet.
* A VLAN is usually used to create subnetworks within a LAN, not to connect to the internet.
References:
* Proxy vs. VPN: What Is the Difference? | Fortinet
* What's the difference between a proxy server and a VPN? | Windows Central
* Bridge (networking) - Wikipedia
* [VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) - Definition from Techopedia]