[NTLUG:Discuss] A Firewall

[Terry]

On 5/20/05, John K. Taber <jktaber at charter.net> wrote:
> After a little googling, I settled on Firestarter for my firewall. See
> http://www.fs-security.com/.
> 
> Its first attraction is the Users Guide, which is well written, even if
> perhaps by an author using English as a second language. A well written
> guide in the Linux world is rare enough to be remarkable all by itself.
> 
> The guide does not assume I know things that I don't. It answers my
> questions instead of filling me with many more questions.
> 
> Firestarter is familiar, sort of like Zone Alarm, so that I don't have a
> steep learning curve. I read the 32 page guide, downloaded the program
> (in rpm form) followed directions and installed it.
> 
> In contrast, I did not understand Lokkit or IPCOP. I'm sure these are
> fine programs, but I need to understand them at least well enough to use
> them.
> 
> I am interested in other people's reactions.
> 
> John
> 

Lokkit and Firestarter are firewall applications that run on an existing system.
IPCop, [on the other hand], is a stand alone firewall system. (It
converts a x86 computer into a router / firewall server designed to
act as a gateway to a desktop or network of client PCs and servers.)
And that's all it does.  It has no extra software and is not used as a
PC.  It's only duty is to act as a firewall for a LAN.

IPCop and Smothwall  are stand alone firewall distributions.
Firestarter and Lokkit   are firewall applications. (that run on
existing systems).