Re: Types of firewall...

From: bensmyth (noreply_at_test.com)
Date: 03/29/05 

Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:21:46 +0100

> > Is this a correct, complete list?? Or am I missing something??
>
> I'm afraid there will never be a "correct, complete list", there
> are too much going on, too many firewall architectures that won't
> fit a single type definition (and maybe not even multiple!). Not
> that it isn't worth trying, though... but it might be a degree in
> itself.

I know!! The misuse of (or lack of standardisation of) terminology is a bit of a
nightmare.

> As Duane's URL shows, there are some basic designs, but I'm not
> sure that's what you are asking for.

That is probably the best resource I've seen (and I've looked at a lot of them),
cheers Duane.

One thing I dislike - this is also true of other source - is the use of the OSI
model as opposed to the TCP/IP model. In my opinion the TCP/IP is the most
relevant model due to its prevalence on the Internet, and hence should be used
when discussing firewalls.

> The packet filter can be stateful, multilayer, deep, dynamic, and
> whatever; it is still a packet filter........

Thanks for that, its pretty comprehensive.

> What kind of degree are you doing? What is the title, or purpose
> of this project? I'm just beeing curious.

I'm studying an MEng in Computer Science/Software Engineering at the University
of Birmingham, England - http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/

The module (/project) is titled ``Individual study"
(http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/resources/modules/2004/15506.html) and essentially
enables students to study anything that interests them outside the general scope
of their chosen degree course - I'm studying firewalls, although I have covered
a *lot* (probably too much) of networking stuff along the way.

Thanks for your help,

Ben