How nginx processes a TCP/UDP session
A TCP/UDP session from a client is processed in successive steps called phases:
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Post-accept - The first phase after accepting a client connection. The ngx_stream_realip_module module is invoked at this phase.
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Pre-access - Preliminary check for access. The ngx_stream_limit_conn_module module is invoked at this phase.
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Access - Client access limitation before actual data processing. The ngx_stream_access_module module is invoked at this phase.
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SSL - TLS/SSL termination. The ngx_stream_ssl_module module is invoked at this phase.
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Preread - Reading initial bytes of data into the preread buffer to allow modules such as ngx_stream_ssl_preread_module analyze the data before its processing.
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Content - Mandatory phase where data is actually processed, usually proxied to upstream servers, or a specified value is returned to a client.
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Log - The final phase where the result of a client session processing is recorded. The ngx_stream_log_module module is invoked at this phase.