What is the purpose of a proxy server?

The primary purpose of a proxy server is to serve as an intermediary between clients and the internet. By routing client requests through the proxy server, it can perform various functions such as filtering requests, caching content to improve performance, and providing anonymity to users. This mediation role allows the proxy server to improve security by masking the clients' IP addresses and controlling access to certain resources or websites. Additionally, proxy servers can help balance network traffic and enhance performance by reducing latency.

In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the fundamental role of a proxy server. Eliminating all network traffic does not align with the function of a proxy, which actually manages and directs traffic. While storing large amounts of data is usually associated with databases or data storage solutions rather than a proxy itself, providing backup for servers is typically the role of backup systems and is not relevant to the proxy server's purpose.