Locking up the ports: Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall Basics
By Mark Minasi
This upgrade to best-selling author Mark Minasi's Mastering Windows Server 2003 covers all the undocumented updates and new features in SP1 and R2. With clear and easy instruction, this book update tells you all about the SP1 and R2, including security enhancements, management and administration tools. If you work with or depend on Windows Server 2003, this book is for you.

Below is a series of excerpts from chapter eight of this book, Locking Up the Ports: Windows Firewall, that have appeared on SearchWindowsSecurity.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:    Setting up IPsec bypass    Automatic exceptions: IPsec bypass    Permitting Ping: ICMP Exceptions    Making server apps work with Windows Firewall    When to use (or not use) Windows Firewall    Windows Firewall Basics

Setting up IPsec bypass
Mark Minasi explains how to set up IPsec bypass, a technology that requires both your clients and their machines to be authenticated prior to accessing your network. This chapter is an excerpt from Minasi's book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2.

Automatic exceptions: IPsec bypass
In this excerpt from Mark Minasi's book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2, Mark shares his thoughts on IPsec bypass, a technology in Windows Firewall that requires both your client and their machine to be authenticated prior to accessing your network.

Permitting Ping: ICMP Exceptions
According to Mark Minasi, "Ping's the most basic troubleshooting tool in many a networker's arsenal, and it's a pain to try to do network troubleshooting in a network that's blocked all pings." In this excerpt from his latest book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2, Mark shares his thoughts on Ping and how to open the door for Ping in different situations.

Making server apps work with Windows Firewall
In this excerpt from Mark Minasi's newest book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2, he explains how to make server apps work with Windows Firewall.

When to use (or not use) Windows Firewall
In this excerpt from Mark Minasi's newest book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2, he explains when to use (or not to use) Windows Firewall. Should you use WF if you are already using a software firewall or a hardware firewall? Should you use WF for workstations and servers? Answer these questions and more in this excerpt.

Windows Firewall Basics
Mark Minasi is a best-selling author, commentator and all-around alpha geek. Mark is best known for his books in the Mastering Windows series. The following excerpt is from chapter eight of his newest book, Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 and R2, entitled "Windows Firewall Basics." In this excerpt, learn the rules of Windows Firewall, what it does and why it does it.