What Is a Proxy Hostname and How Does It Differ from an IP Address?

In this article, we’ll explain in detail these common proxy terms, including hostnames and IP addresses with examples to make everything easier to understand. We’ll also show you how to find proxy hostname, as you may need it when using proxies. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump right in.

What Is a Proxy Hostname?

A proxy hostname is a more readable name that is often used instead of an IP address. For simplicity, you can look at a hostname as the proxy server’s domain name. For those who may not know, an IP address is a numerical value used as an identifier for any computer or server connecting to the internet. An example of an IP address is something like 203.0.113.45.

IP addresses like the one mentioned above are much harder to recall, which is why proxy hostnames were invented. So, instead of using the long IP address, you could refer to the server using its hostname. An example would be something like uk.proxywing.com. Such a name is much easier to read and remember than an IP address.

Proxy Hostnames vs. IP Addresses

The proxy hostname and IP both point to the same server—meaning if you input any of the two in the browser URL, they will load the same web page if the server in question is a web server. 

However, they also have a few key differences. These include:  

• Format: Proxy hostnames use words whereas IP addresses use numbers.
• Ease of use: Proxy hostnames are easier to remember and manage than IPs
• Flexibility: Even if the IP address changes, the hostname can stay the same as long as the DNS records are updated to point to the new IP address. 
• Core Function: Your computer uses the IP address to connect. The proxy hostname just resolves to it.

How Proxy Hostnames Work

A proxy hostname acts as the bridge between your machine and the proxy server. After you input the proxy hostname in your network settings, your machine will first do a DNS look to find the IP address it is pointed to. 

Once the IP address is determined, your internet traffic will now be routed through that address before being forwarded to the target server. Overall, using proxy hostnames makes it a lot easier to connect to a proxy server without having to remember its complex IP address.

Proxy Hostnames and Different Protocols

Proxy hostnames use different protocols to route your connection to the target server. The protocol used depends on the traffic being handled. Some of the different protocols used include: 

• HTTP/HTTPS: These two protocols are used for web browsing. 
• SOCKS5: These work at a lower level and can handle any kind of traffic, including web and mail traffic
• FTP: This protocol is used when sending files from your device to a server on the internet. 

Importance of Using Proxy Hostnames

Proxy hostnames make it easier for users to remember the server they are connecting to instead of a long IP address. They can also remain valid even when the server’s IP address changes, as long as the provider updates the DNS records. This helps users avoid frequently updating their settings whenever the server’s IP address changes.

How to Find or Check Your Proxy Hostname

The proxy hostname can be found using these simple methods: 

• Command line: Use the ping followed by the IP address. (Example: ping 203.0.113.45)
• Proxy provider: After paying for a subscription, your provider should give you all the server details, including the IP address, hostname, and port number. 

How to Use and Configure a Proxy Hostname

Here are the simple steps for configuring the proxy hostname for WiFi on all the popular platforms for desktop and mobile devices. 

Windows

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
• Turn on the “Use a proxy server” option
• Enter the server details, including the proxy hostname and port number and click Save.

Android Devices (phones, tabs, android tv, etc.)

• Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
• Long-tap on any of your active Wi-Fi networks and choose Modify network.
• Tap Advanced options and choose Manual under Proxy
• Enter the server details—proxy hostname and port and Save.

iPhone/iPad

• Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
• Tap the (i) next to your connected network.
• Scroll to HTTP Proxy and choose the “Manual” option
• Enter the server details—server name and port, then go back to save.

macOS 

• Open System Settings > Network.
• Select the WiFi network you’re connected to and click Details.
• Go to the Proxies tab.
• Turn on one of the available proxy types (HTTP, SOCKS5, etc.) 
• Now Enter the proxy information, including the proxy hostname and port, then click OK to save the changes. 

Proxy Hostname Examples 

A full hostname usually includes two parts—the hostname (domain part) and the port numbers. Some examples include: 

• us.proxywing.net:8080: In this example, the proxy hostname is us.proxywing.net and the port number is 8080. The 8080 is commonly used for HTTP traffic.
• eu.proxying.com:3128: For this example, the name is eu.proxying.com and the port is 3128.

Reverse Proxy Hostnames Explained

A reverse proxy is the direct opposite of the standard proxies. It sits between the server and the public internet (users). When implemented, all user traffic will have to go through the proxy before connecting to the backend server. 

That means the backend server’s IP address is hidden from the users, enhancing its security. So, a reverse proxy name is basically the name that points to the IP address of reverse proxy. Reverse proxies are commonly used for load balancing, security, and caching (to reduce web requests sent to the server). 

Common Configuration Errors

Some of the common errors during proxy configurations include: 

Invalid Proxy Hostname

This usually happens when the name entered doesn’t exist or has a typo. For example, you may type proxxy.proxying.com instead of proxy.proxying.com.

Incorrect Port

Proxy servers use different ports depending on the type of traffic they intend to handle. Using the wrong port number will prevent your traffic from getting to the target proxy server. 

DNS Resolution Issues

DNS resolution is the processing of determining the server IP address that the proxy hostname name points to. If this process fails due network issues or other factors, your device won’t connect to the proxy. 

Benefits of Adding a Proxy Hostname to Wi-Fi

Some of the common benefits that come with adding a proxy hostname to your network include: 

• Privacy and online security: A private proxy redirects all your http requests and other traffic through a server before forwarding it. In the process, your device IP address is masked, enhancing your online privacy and ensuring secure connections. 
• Security: Some proxies are designed to filter and block malicious traffic before sending it back to your device. 
• Access region-locked content: Proxies hide your location, making it possible to access different contents on platforms like Netflix that are only available in certain regions. ProxyWing gives you access to proxy lists with IPs in over 190 countries. 
• Performance: Some proxies cache content of commonly accessed web pages. This makes accessing content on those pages faster since it doesn’t have to query the web server every time you make a request. Unlike VPNs, proxies won’t throttle the speed of your internet connections since they don’t include the extra encryption step. 
• Bypass geo-restrictions: Proxy servers act as an intermediary, making it possible to use their IP address to access region-locked websites and online services.

Best Practices for Proxy Hostnames

• Double check for typos: Make sure the server name or IP and port number are correct to avoid encountering connection errors. 
• Choose the best region: Always choose a proxy server that is in the region that meets your goals—that could be getting better performance or bypassing geo-restrictions. 
• Keep settings updated: Sometimes your provider may change the server hostname, requiring you to update it in your settings. 
• Store credentials securely: If your proxy server requires credentials, be sure to remember them, as without them you will not be able to connect to the server. ProxyWing supports proxies with credentials for users who need security. 
• Proxy type: ProxyWing offers different types of proxies, including residential proxy, datacenter proxy, and ISP proxy solutions. Choose the right type depending on your needs. 

Conclusion

Proxy hostnames make it incredibly easier to remember your proxy details than relying on the complex IP address. Using simple names instead of IP addresses also minimizes the chances of typos when inputting these details into your proxy settings. 

Before connecting to a proxy server, you can use either its hostname or IP address. Secure your internet connection today with ProxyWing’s proxies, starting at just $1.05/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my proxy hostname?

A proxy hostname is a more readable name that you can use instead of the complex domain names. Before connecting to the proxy server, your device must first perform a DNS lookup to determine the IP address the hostname is pointing to..

Can a hostname resolve to multiple IP addresses?

Yes, it can be configured to resolve to different IP addresses. Your proxy provider can particularly configure it to resolve to different IPs depending on reliability and performance needs. 

Why does a hostname show multiple IPs?

A hostname may show more than one IP address  if the proxy server it’s pointing to uses more than one IP address for load balancing, redundancy, geographic optimization, etc. 

Which characters are not allowed in hostnames?

They can use letters (a–z, case-insensitive), numbers (0–9), or hyphens (-). All the other characters, including special characters like “!, @, or #” are not allowed. 

What are the hostname rules in RFC 952 and RFC 1123?

RFC 952

• They must start with a letter.
• Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed.
• Their maximum length is 24 characters.

RFC 1123 (update to RFC 952):

• They can start with a letter or number.
• Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed
• Maximum length for each label is 63 characters and the full hostname can have up to 255 characters.

How do I configure a proxy hostname on different devices?

The process depends on the operating systems you are using: 

• Windows: Settings>Network & Internet>Proxy>Enter hostname and port
• Android: Settings>Wi-Fi>Modify network>Advanced >Manual proxy> Enter hostname and port
• iOS: Settings>Wi-Fi>Tap (i)>HTTP Proxy>Select Manual>Enter hostname and port    
• macOS: System Settings>WiFi >Click the network Details button>Proxies>Turn Proxy Type>Enter hostname and port.