What is a proxy used for in a network?

A proxy serves primarily as an intermediary that makes requests on behalf of another device. This functionality allows it to act as a gateway for communications between clients and servers, enhancing privacy and security by masking the original device's IP address. In many environments, proxies can help in content filtering, load balancing, and improving response times through caching.

The role of a proxy also includes the ability to modify requests and responses, thus enabling access to resources that may be restricted based on geographic location or other criteria. This capability is widely used in corporate networks, for instance, to enforce security policies or to control internet access for employees.

Each of the other options relates to network functions but does not accurately describe the primary use of a proxy. Monitoring network performance pertains to tools and systems designed for network management, while assigning IP addresses is the function of a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, and functioning as a switch refers to switching devices that manage data traffic within a network rather than acting on requests.