Whats the difference between ICS and ICF? DO you need both if you wanted to bridge a internet to the internal network?
I assume that ICS is not needed if you are doing the bridge but what about ICF? Microsoft states that you shouldn't use bridge connections unless you're using ICF. Can I use a 3rd firewall program instead of ICF?
ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) lets a computer share its Internet
access with other computers on a local area network. It requires two
network connections: one for the Internet, and one for the LAN. Those
two networks are completely separate from each other, each having its
own IP subnet.
ICF (Internet Connection Firewall) prevents other Internet users from
accessing your computer/network. You can enable or disable ICF
individually on each network connection. Typically, it's enabled only
on a direct modem (dial-up, DSL, cable) connection to the Internet.
If it's enabled on a local area network, it blocks file and printer
sharing between the networked computers.
You can use a 3rd-party firewall program instead of ICF. If you do,
configure it to block access by other Internet users and allow access
by other computers on your local area network. That typically
involves specifying that your LAN is in a "trusted" zone.
A network bridge combines two or more physical networks into one
logical network, with one IP subnet. It isn't generally possible to
bridge an Internet connection. Windows XP doesn't let you bridge a
firewalled network connection, and it doesn't let you firewall the
network bridge itself.
I've written a web site on ICS that also has information about ICF and
the network bridge:
Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/ic_firewall.htm
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Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
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