An Introduction to Zones and Interfaces
Zones split a network infrastructure into logical areas, each with its own set of usage rules, security services, and policies. Most networks include multiple definitions for zones, including those for trusted, untrusted, public, encrypted, and wireless traffic.
Some basic (default) zone types include:
WAN - Untrusted resources outside your local network
LAN - Trusted local network resources
WLAN - Local wireless network resources originating from SonicWALL wireless enabled appliances such as SonicPoints.
DMZ - Local network assets that must be accessible from the WAN zone (such as Web and FTP servers)
VPN - Trusted endpoints in an otherwise untrusted zone, such as the WAN
The security features and settings configured for the zones are enforced by binding a zone to one or more physical interfaces (such as, X0, X1, or X2) on the SonicWALL UTM appliance.
The X1 and X0 interfaces are preconfigured as WAN and LAN respectively. The remaining ports can be configured to meet the needs of your network, either by using basic zone types (WAN, LAN, WLAN, DMZ, VPN) or configuring a custom zone type to fit your network requirements (for example: Gaming Console Zone, Wireless Printer Zone, Wireless Ticket Scanner Zone).
Creating Network Access Rules
A Zone is a logical grouping of one or more interfaces designed to make management, such as the definition and application of access rules, a simpler and more intuitive process than following a strict physical interface scheme.
By default, the SonicWALL security appliance’s stateful packet inspection allows all communication from the LAN to the Internet, and blocks all traffic from the Internet to the LAN. The following behaviors are defined by the “Default” stateful inspection packet access rule enabled in the SonicWALL security appliance:
Originating Zone | Destination Zone | Action |
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LAN, WLAN | WAN, DMZ | Allow |
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DMZ | WAN | Allow |
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WAN | DMZ | Deny |
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WAN and DMZ | LAN or WLAN | Deny |
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Page 42 An Introduction to Zones and Interfaces
