Using the Configuration Menu (continued)
Advanced > Filters
Packet filtering is a basic security measure that should be used on any network that is exposed to a security risk. A packet filter system examines data packets and scrutinizes them in order to control network access. Filtering rules determine whether packets are passed through the Router from either side of the gateway. The rules are created and controlled by the network administrator and can be precisely defined. These rules are used to block access to the LAN from outside the network and/or to deny access to the WAN from within the network. The Router uses filtering rules to examine data packet headers for specific information. Packets passing through the Router that do not meet the criteria specified by the rule set are dropped.
Effective implementation of packet filtering requires detailed knowledge of network services and communication protocols. An overly complicated filtering scheme can adversely affect the Router’s performance, while an inadequate set of rules may needlessly compromise security.
This Router has two fields to configure for filtering which are IP Filters and MAC Filters.
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