A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and servers, forwarding client requests to one or more backend servers and returning the responses to the clients. Proxy servers provide various functionalities, including caching, security, anonymity, content filtering, and load balancing.

Proxy servers play a crucial role in network architectures by enhancing performance, security, and privacy for clients and servers alike. They provide a flexible and scalable solution for managing network traffic, enforcing policies, and optimizing resource utilization in diverse environments.