Prestige 2602HW Series User’s Guide

Always shred confidential information, particularly about your computer, before throwing it away. Some hackers dig through the trash of companies or individuals for information that might help them in an attack.

13.7Packet Filtering Vs Firewall

Below are some comparisons between the Prestige’s filtering and firewall functions.

13.7.1Packet Filtering:

The router filters packets as they pass through the router’s interface according to the filter rules you designed.

Packet filtering is a powerful tool, yet can be complex to configure and maintain, especially if you need a chain of rules to filter a service.

Packet filtering only checks the header portion of an IP packet.

13.7.1.1When To Use Filtering

To block/allow LAN packets by their MAC addresses.

To block/allow special IP packets which are neither TCP nor UDP, nor ICMP packets.

To block/allow both inbound (WAN to LAN) and outbound (LAN to WAN) traffic between the specific inside host/network "A" and outside host/network "B". If the filter blocks the traffic from A to B, it also blocks the traffic from B to A. Filters can not distinguish traffic originating from an inside host or an outside host by IP address.

To block/allow IP trace route.

13.7.2Firewall

The firewall inspects packet contents as well as their source and destination addresses. Firewalls of this type employ an inspection module, applicable to all protocols, that understands data in the packet is intended for other layers, from the network layer (IP headers) up to the application layer.

The firewall performs stateful inspection. It takes into account the state of connections it handles so that, for example, a legitimate incoming packet can be matched with the outbound request for that packet and allowed in. Conversely, an incoming packet masquerading as a response to a nonexistent outbound request can be blocked.

The firewall uses session filtering, i.e., smart rules, that enhance the filtering process and control the network session rather than control individual packets in a session.

The firewall provides e-mail service to notify you of routine reports and when alerts occur.

13.7.2.1When To Use The Firewall

To prevent DoS attacks and prevent hackers cracking your network.

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Chapter 13 Firewalls