Firewall architectures

There are several different firewall architectures available:
Main Border Firewall
Screened Firewall
Internal Firewall
Host Firewall
DMZ Firewall

In this discussion, you are to describe each of these and describe when they could/would be used. Additionally, how can these be layered and used together to provide better security? What could be a disadvantage to using any of these firewalls?

Full Answer Section
  • Host Firewall: This is a firewall that is installed on a individual host. It is responsible for protecting the host from unauthorized access. The host firewall can be used to filter traffic, block ports, and control access to specific applications.
  • DMZ Firewall: This is a firewall that is placed in the DMZ. It is responsible for filtering traffic between the DMZ and the public Internet. The DMZ firewall is typically used to protect servers and applications that are accessible from the public Internet.
These firewalls can be layered and used together to provide better security. For example, you could use a main border firewall, a screened subnet firewall, and an internal firewall to protect your network. This would provide three layers of defense, which would make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your network. However, there are also some disadvantages to using firewalls. For example, firewalls can sometimes block legitimate traffic. Additionally, firewalls can be complex to configure and manage. Here are some additional considerations when choosing a firewall architecture:
  • The size and complexity of your network.
  • The level of security you need.
  • The resources you have available to manage the firewall.
If you have a small network and limited resources, then a simple firewall architecture may be sufficient. However, if you have a large network or need a high level of security, then you may need to use a more complex firewall architecture. It is also important to keep up to date with the latest security threats. As new threats emerge, you may need to update your firewall configuration to protect your network.
Sample Answer here are some of the different firewall architectures available:
  • Main Border Firewall: This is the first line of defense for a network. It is typically placed between the public Internet and the internal network. The main border firewall is responsible for filtering traffic and preventing unauthorized access to the internal network.
  • Screened Firewall: This is a more complex firewall architecture that includes two firewalls. The first firewall is the main border firewall, and the second firewall is the screened subnet firewall. The screened subnet firewall is located in a demilitarized zone (DMZ), which is a separate network that is accessible from both the public Internet and the internal network. The screened subnet firewall is responsible for filtering traffic between the DMZ and the internal network.
  • Internal Firewall: This is a firewall that is placed within the internal network. It is typically used to protect sensitive resources, such as servers and databases. The internal firewall is responsible for filtering traffic between different segments of the internal network.