X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header: Syntax, Directive, Examples

The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is a de facto standard request-type header. The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is used to identify the client’s initial request. Since the host names and ports of reverse proxies differed at that time, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header took the initiative and identified the originating request. Additionally, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is utilized for debugging and the creation of location-based information. As a result, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header protects the client’s privacy. The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header’s root version is HTTP Forwarded. The forwarded request header provides information that reverse proxy servers (load balancers, CDNs, and so on) may add that would otherwise be altered or lost during the request’s journey through proxy servers. The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header value is the <host>. The value is the domain name of the forwarding server. The following is an example of an X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header for the request header for a client-made HTTP request.

X-Forwarded-Host: ih29.example-cdn.com

X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header request header is seen above. In the article, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header Syntax, Directives, and Uses with examples will be processed.

What is X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is a de facto standard for identifying the origin of the Host HTTP header request. It indicates which host was originally used. By design, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is used for debugging, statistics, and providing location-specific content, and by design, it exposes personal identifying information, such as the client’s IP address.

What is the Syntax of X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The syntax of X-Forwarded-Host HTTP has one part. In order to use X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header, follow the example syntax below.

X-Forwarded-Host: <host>

What is the Directive of X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The directives of X-Forwarded-Proto HTTP Header are only one. The host is the directive of the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header, which is then forwarded server’s domain name. 

The viewed website in this example was sent from the previously indicated host website.

Below is an example usage of the directives X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header.

X-Forwarded-Host: www.example-cdn.com

How to use X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is used to identify the client’s initial request. Since the hostnames and ports in the reverse proxies differed at the time, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header took the lead and identified the originating request. The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is useful for debugging and developing location-based content. As a result, the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header protects the client’s privacy. 

Examples of X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header Use

An example of the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header use can be found below.

X-Forwarded-Host: www.oracle.com:8080
X-Forwarded-Host: www.cdn.geeksforgeeks.org

What is the Specification Documents for X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

There is only one specification document for the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header, which is RFC 7239. The RFC 7239 article mentioned the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header as a common way to disclose information by using the non-standard header fields for the Forwarded HTTP Extension. Additionally, the article discusses the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header’s definition and usage.

What are the types of X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header HTTP Type is listed below.

  1. Request Headers – The originating request was intercepted and identified by the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header.
  2. Response Headers – The X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header exposes privacy-sensitive information used for debugging, statistics, and generating location-dependent content.

What are the similar HTTP Headers to the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header?

The similar HTTP Headers to the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header are listed below.

  • Host HTTP Header: Host HTTP Header and X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header specify the server to which the request is being sent. 
  • Forwarded HTTP Header: The Forwarded HTTP Header is similar to the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header. The Forwarded HTTP Header contains information that may be added by reverse proxy servers that would otherwise be altered or lost when the proxy servers are involved in the path of the request. 
  • X-Forwarded-For HTTP Header: The X-Forwarded-For is similar to the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header. The X-Forwarded-For HTTP Header is a de-facto standard header that identifies the original IP address of the client connecting to a web server through an HTTP proxy or a load balancer.
  • X-Forwarded-Proto HTTP Header: The X-Forwarded-Proto HTTP Header is similar to the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header. The X-Forwarded-Proto HTTP Header is a de facto standard header that is connected to an HTTP proxy and a load balancer.

Which Browsers Support X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header? 

The compatibility of browsers for the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header is unknown.

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X-Forwarded-Host HTTP Header: Syntax, Directive, Examples

by Holistic SEO time to read: 3 min
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