After installing the distro, we assigned 192.168.56.2 as the IP address of the second adaptor and configured it as a DHCP server that assigns IPs between 192.168.56.20 - 192.168.56.50. Next, we created a VM for the firewall distro and made sure it had two network adaptors – the first one in bridged mode, the second one as a host-only network.

Then switched to the host-only networks tab and added a new network – using the screwdriver icon to give it the address 192.168.56.1. We created a virtual network by firing up VirtualBox and heading to File > Preferences > Network. While you can test these firewall distros on a spare physical PC, it’s rather convenient to take them for a spin inside a virtual machine. Specifically, in this roundup, we’re going to dissect and compare five different distros: IPFire, OPNsense, pfSense, Sophos UTM and Untangle NG Firewall. However, there are quite a few distros that help you set up a dedicated firewall with ease, and we’re going to look at the ones that have the best protective open source software and roll them into a convenient and easy to use package.

Setting one up is an involved process both in terms of assembling the hardware and configuring the software. The one thing you wouldn’t want in this Jetsonian future is having to rely on your router’s limited firewall capabilities to shield your house – and everyone in it – from the malicious bits and bytes floating about on the internet.Ī dedicated firewall stands between the internet and internal network, sanitising the traffic flowing into the latter. With the onslaught of IoT, it won’t be long before your router doles out IP addresses to your washing machine and microwave as well. A typical network has more devices connected to the internet than the total number of computers and laptops in your SOHO. While your Linux distro will have an impressive firewall – and an equally impressive arsenal of tools to manage it – the advantages don’t extend to the other devices on your network. You don’t have to manage a large corporate network to use a dedicated firewall. Subscribe to the print or digital version of Linux Format here. This article was provided to TechRadar by Linux Format, the number one magazine to boost your knowledge on Linux, open source developments, distro releases and much more.

Untangle firewall spi