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On Fri, 11 Oct 2002 22:12:05 +0100 John Beardmore
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I want to set up a firewall and figured I'd use the built in GUI tools:
> 
>     K -> Configuration -> Networking -> Netconf

I would recommend against this.  GUIs require, well X, and X is in itself
a security concern.  If you're going to make the system a
firewall/gateway, a good first step is removing X altogether.

> Quitting Netconf doesn't seem to restart the firewall daemon, so I've 
> tried killing it and restarting it by hand.  When I do this I get the 
> message:
> 
>      "ipchains: Protocol not available"

Sounds like it's trying to use ipchains and not iptables.  I don't know
for certain, but I would think that Mandrake 8.1 uses a 2.4.x kernel and
thus would use iptables and not ipchains.  Sounds like an outdated tool.

> I see on http://ipmasq.cjb.net/ the wording
> 
>      "Please note that IPCHAINS is no longer the primary
>      firewall configuration tool for the 2.4.x kernels. The new kernels
>      now use the IPTABLES toolkit though the new 2.4.x kernels CAN
>      still read and enable old IPCHAINS or IPFWADM rulesets via a
>      compatiblity module".

That's a bit misleading.  There is a compatibility module, but it is very
limited in what it supports.  You're much better off using iptables and a
2.4.x kernel.  One major benefit over ipchains is stateful routing.

> I want to use masquerade on my Internet ippp0 interface but not on the 
> others which are either the in-house LAN, or virtual LANs belonging to 
> VmWare.

That can be done.

> I'm beginning to think the GUI has a mind of its own.

Most of them do, another good reason to avoid them.

> Am I better off editing the configuration files by hand ?  If so what's 
> the best file by file How-To ?

Depends on which configuration files your editing.  There are a number of
firewall creation tools and scripts.  Normally the documentation/support
lists for them are the way to go.  

> Is there a better tool for generating the firewall rules with 2.4 
> kernels ?  I've used PM Firewall in the past, but I don't know if there 
> is something better for Mandrake 8.1 ?

Depends on your tastes.  I'm sure it's no surprise that I recommend my
firewall script (http://asgardsrealm.net/linux/firewall)

-- 
Jamin W. Collins
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