Is it ever theoretically possible for a proxy to be faster than a non-proxy?

[Simfish]

So

(a) User <-> proxy server <-> external site

vs...
(b) User <-> external site

Is it ever possible that (a) could have faster speeds than (b)? Perhaps (a) can have faster speeds in the case that the connection between the user and the external site is poor, but the connection between the user and proxy is good, and proxy and external site is good. How often is this the case?

Is this one of the secondary reasons why proxies are used? (on particular websites - even though proxies are on average slower than non-proxies?) I know that the primary reason for proxies is to hide one's IP address (or to get by access restrictions)

(newbie to proxies here)

 

[-Job-]

It's perfectly possible. Many proxies implement caches that can greatly increase performance. The Microsoft Internet Security & Acceleration Server can be used in this manner for instance.

 

[fonik]

It's especially possible if you live in China. :D

 

[sephirothrr]

As long as the connection of the proxy is better than yours, then the main determining factor is physical distance. The odds are, you proxy is probably much closer to your location than the average internet server.

 

[Anttech]

yeap.. if the proxy is also a Loadbalancer/content engine like a Cisco CSM...any time you go to google.com or to amazon.com or any heaveyload www server, you will never initiate a tcp session with the http server itself, just a "proxie". Its more secure and faster..