In the Internet era, proxy servers have become an integral part of many online activities and businesses. They provide users with many useful features such as anonymity, privacy protection, access to restricted websites, etc.

Among them, residential proxy are favored because they are closer to real user behavior. Residential proxy can be divided into two types: static residential proxy and dynamic residential proxy, each with its own unique working principles and application scenarios. This article takes an in-depth look at how both residential proxies work.

1. Working principle of static residential proxy

Static residential proxy, as the name suggests, means that the IP address and related information of the proxy server remain unchanged for a period of time. 

This kind of proxy is usually provided by residential users who share their network connection with others by configuring their device as a proxy server. The working principle of static residential proxy can be briefly summarized in the following steps:

User request: When users need to access a website or service, they send a request through proxy software or API. This request will contain the user's target URL and other relevant information.

Proxy forwarding: After the static residential proxy server receives the user's request, it forwards it to the target website. During this process, the proxy server uses its own IP address to replace the user's real IP address.

Website response: After the target website receives a request from the proxy server, it processes the request and returns a response. This response will be sent back to the proxy server.

Proxy Return: After the static residential proxy server receives the response from the website, it forwards it to the user. In this way, users can see the content of the target website.

The advantage of a static residential proxy is the stability of its IP address. Since the IP address remains the same, static residential proxies have higher reliability when doing some activities that require a connection to be maintained for a long time (such as crawling, social media automation, etc.). 

However, this stability also comes with certain risks. Since the IP address remains unchanged for a long time, it may be recognized and blocked by the target website, causing the proxy to fail.

2. Working principle of dynamic residential proxy

Unlike static residential proxies, dynamic residential proxies' IP addresses and related information change regularly. Such proxies are typically provided by a large residential proxy network consisting of large numbers of residential users who contribute their equipment to serve as proxy servers. Dynamic residential proxies work as follows:

User request: The user sends a request through proxy software or API, and the request contains the target URL and other related information.

Proxy allocation: After receiving the user's request, the dynamic residential proxy service provider will allocate an available proxy server to the user from its proxy network. The IP address of this proxy server is dynamically generated and may be different each time it is assigned.

Proxy forwarding: After the assigned proxy server receives the user's request, it will forward it to the target website. In this process, the proxy server will use its current IP address to replace the user's real IP address.

Website response: The target website processes the request and returns a response, which is sent back to the proxy server.

Proxy return: The proxy server forwards the response to the user, and the user sees the content of the target website.

IP replacement: After a period of time (such as minutes, hours, etc.), the dynamic residential proxy service provider will reassign a new proxy server to the user to achieve IP address replacement.

The advantage of dynamic residential proxies is the uncertainty of their IP addresses. Since the IP address changes regularly, it is more difficult for target websites to identify and block it. 

This allows dynamic residential proxies to have greater flexibility and reliability when conducting large-scale network activities (such as large-scale crawling, advertising promotion, etc.).

However, this uncertainty also brings certain challenges. Due to frequent changes in IP addresses, users may need to deal with more connection and authentication issues, and they also need to ensure that the proxy service provider can provide stable and reliable proxy services.

3. Application scenarios of static residential proxy and dynamic residential proxy

Static residential proxy and dynamic residential proxy each have their own applicable scenarios. Static residential proxies are suitable for activities that require long-term connectivity, such as social media automation, targeted crawlers, etc. Because IP addresses are stable, these activities can be performed more reliably.

Dynamic residential proxy are suitable for network activities that require large-scale and high-frequency activities, such as large-scale crawlers, advertising promotions, etc. By regularly changing IP addresses, it can effectively circumvent the blocking policy of the target website.

4. Summary

In short, a deep understanding of the working principles of static residential proxy and dynamic residential proxy is of great significance for the rational use and selection of proxy services. Only by fully understanding their working principles and application scenarios can we better utilize these tools to meet our own network needs.