Firewall Fundamentals

• Cover Type: Paperback with 408 pages
• Published by: Cisco Press
• Edition: 1st Edition June 12, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1587052210
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1587052217
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.5 pounds

The essential guide to understanding and using firewalls to protect personal computers and your network

• An easy-to-read introduction to the most commonly deployed network security device
• Understand the threats firewalls are designed to protect against
• Learn basic firewall architectures, practical deployment scenarios, and common management and troubleshooting tasks
• Includes configuration, deployment, and management checklists

Increasing reliance on the Internet in both work and home environments has radically increased the vulnerability of computing systems to attack from a wide variety of threats. Firewall technology continues to be the most prevalent form of protection against existing and new threats to computers and networks. A full understanding of what firewalls can do, how they can be deployed to maximum effect, and the differences among firewall types can make the difference between continued network integrity and complete network or computer failure. Firewall Fundamentals introduces readers to firewall concepts and explores various commercial and open source firewall implementations--including Cisco, Linksys, and Linux--allowing network administrators and small office/home office computer users to effectively choose and configure their devices. Firewall Fundamentals is written in clear and easy-to-understand language and helps novice users understand what firewalls are and how and where they are used. It introduces various types of firewalls, first conceptually and then by explaining how different firewall implementations actually work. It also provides numerous implementation examples, demonstrating the use of firewalls in both personal and business-related scenarios, and explains how a firewall should be installed and configured. Additionally, generic firewall troubleshooting methodologies and common management tasks are clearly defined and explained.

About The Author

Wesley J Noonan (Houston, Texas) has been working in the computer industry for over 12 years, specializing in Windows-based networks and network infrastructure security design and implementation. He is a Staff Quality Engineer for NetIQ working on their security solutions product line.

Ido Dubrawsky (Sliver Springs, MD) is a Senior Security Consultant with Callisma, an SBC subsidiary. He advises customers on a wide variety of security issues. Previously he was a Network Security Architect with Cisco Systems SAFE Architecture Team

Reader Reviews
As an IT professional, I know and understand that firewalls are a requirement in today's computing environment. But as a developer, the details of firewalls are pretty much a black box to me. I was pleasantly surprised with the book Firewall Fundamentals - An introduction to network and computer firewall security by Wes Noonan & Ido Dubrawsky. I actually understood most of it! :) Contents: Part 1 - Introduction to Firewalls: Introduction to Firewalls; Firewall Basics; TCP/IP for Firewalls Part 2 - How Firewalls Work: Personal Firewalls - Windows Firewall and Trend Micro's PC-cillin; Broadband Routers and Firewalls; Cisco PIX Firewall and ASA Security Appliance; Linux-Based Firewalls; Application Proxy Firewalls; Where Firewalls Fit in a Network Part 3 - Managing and Maintaining Firewalls: Firewall Security Policies; Managing Firewalls; What Is My Firewall Telling Me?; Troubleshooting Firewalls; Going Beyond Basic Firewall Features Part 4 - Appendixes: Firewall and Security Tools; Firewall and Security Resources; Index There were actually a number of surprising aspects to this book (all good). The first thing that surprised me is that this is a Cisco Press book. As such, I would have expected a huge bias towards Cisco technology at the expense of everything else. Yes, most of the options and solutions covered include the Cisco offering in that category. But the overall focus is on the underlying technology instead of the vendor offering. That means that you are getting great information on firewalls, not just how Cisco does it. Another surprising aspect for me was the range of experience that is targeted in the book (and successfully at that). Part 1 was perfect for someone like me who isn't intimately acquainted with the inner workings of a firewall. Part 2 covers the range of solutions, both hardware and software, personal and enterprise. And Part 3 is one of those sections that you'd likely use on a regular basis at work if you're responsible for the care and feeding of network security. The information is extremely practical, and having checklists for troubleshooting may just be something that bails you out of some ugly situations... There's not too many books that can pull off the difficult task of reaching all experience levels on a subject. The fact that this book does it while being published under a vendor imprint is even more impressive. Definitely a book I'd recommend on the topic of firewalls...