ProSafe VPN Firewall 200 FVX538 Reference Manual

Table 4-1. Outbound Rules (continued)

Item

Description

 

 

QoS Priority

This setting determines the priority of a service which, in turn, determines the quality

 

of that service for the traffic passing through the firewall. By default, the priority

 

shown is that of the selected service. The user can change it accordingly. If the user

 

does not make a selection (i.e., leaves it as None), then the native priority of the

 

service will be applied to the policy. See “Setting Quality of Service (QoS) Priorities”

 

on page 4-23.

 

 

Log

This determines whether packets covered by this rule are logged. Select the desired

 

action:

 

• Always – always log traffic considered by this rule, whether it matches or not. This

 

is useful when debugging your rules.

 

• Never – never log traffic considered by this rule, whether it matches or not.

 

 

Inbound Rules (Port Forwarding)

Because the FVX538 uses Network Address Translation (NAT), your network presents only one IP address to the Internet and outside users cannot directly address any of your local computers. However, by defining an inbound rule you can make a local server (for example, a Web server or game server) visible and available to the Internet. The rule tells the firewall to direct inbound traffic for a particular service to one local server based on the destination port number. This is also known as port forwarding.

Whether or not DHCP is enabled, how the PCs will access the server’s LAN address impacts the Inbound Rules. For example:

•If your external IP address is assigned dynamically by your ISP (DHCP enabled), the IP address may change periodically as the DHCP lease expires. Consider using Dyamic DNS (under Network Configuration) so that external users can always find your network (see “Configuring Dynamic DNS (If Needed)” on page 2-15.

•If the IP address of the local server PC is assigned by DHCP, it may change when the PC is rebooted. To avoid this, use the Reserved IP address feature in the LAN Groups menu (under Network Configuration) to keep the PC’s IP address constant (see “Setting Up Address Reservation” on page 3-9.

•Local PCs must access the local server using the PCs’ local LAN address. Attempts by local PCs to access the server using the external WAN IP address will fail.

Note: See “Port Triggering” on page 4-28for yet another way to allow certain types of inbound traffic that would otherwise be blocked by the firewall.

4-4

Firewall Protection and Content Filtering

v1.0, August 2006

Page 69 Page 71
Page 70
Image 70
NETGEAR VPN Firewall 200 FVX538 manual Inbound Rules Port Forwarding
Page 69 Page 71

VPN Firewall 200 FVX538 specifications

The NETGEAR VPN Firewall 200 FVX538 is a robust solution designed to meet the networking needs of small to medium-sized businesses. Engineered for resource management and security, this firewall combines the essential features of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and firewall functionality into a single device, enabling secure, high-speed connectivity for various devices in any organizational environment.

One of the standout features of the FVX538 is its integrated VPN support, capable of handling up to 5 simultaneous VPN connections. This is particularly beneficial for remote workers and branch offices that require secure access to the company network. The device supports IPsec and L2TP VPN protocols, which helps ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted over the internet.

Another key characteristic of the FVX538 is its advanced firewall capabilities. This unit employs Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) that scrutinizes incoming and outgoing packets, ensuring that only legitimate traffic is permitted. With customizable access control policies, network administrators can define specific permissions for various users. This feature is crucial for maintaining a secure environment and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The device also supports multiple WAN (Wide Area Network) connections, allowing for load balancing and failover capabilities. By utilizing two WAN ports, the FVX538 can switch between internet connections seamlessly, ensuring optimal uptime and performance even during network disruptions. Such functionality is essential for businesses that rely on constant connectivity.

Additionally, the FVX538 includes various security features such as Denial of Service (DoS) protection, NAT (Network Address Translation) support, and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server functionalities. These features work together to create a secure networking environment while simplifying the management of IP addresses within the network.

The user-friendly web management interface of the FVX538 makes it accessible for network administrators of all skill levels. With comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities, organizations can keep an eye on network activities, enabling them to react swiftly to any potential threats.

In conclusion, the NETGEAR VPN Firewall 200 FVX538 stands out as a versatile, secure, and efficient solution for businesses looking to enhance their network security and performance. With its combination of VPN capabilities, robust firewall features, and user-friendly management tools, it is a reliable choice for ensuring secure and efficient networking operations.
Top Page Image Contents