Common scripting language for firewall administration

[vfclists]

Is there some standard scripting used by Windows firewall software, or
do all of them have to be administered through their individual pointy-
clicky software, or at least loading them from some common
configuration file?

After having to install apps I am getting tired of having to
familiarize myself with each ones management interface, and it is
worse when there are usually 2 or 3 versions of each brand in the wild
at all times.

In the case of the Windows 7/2008 family, should I restrict myself to
the built in one, and restrict 3rd party firewalls to monitoring
outgoing connections

Is the Windows 7 family comprehensive enough?

 

[FromTheRafters]

Is there some standard scripting used by Windows firewall software, or
do all of them have to be administered through their individual
pointy-
clicky software, or at least loading them from some common
configuration file?

I think you are asking if there is some common language or pointy-clicky
control center for all the different firewall applications. Not that I
am aware of, you are stuck with whatever the application's designer saw
fit to supply.

After having to install apps I am getting tired of having to
familiarize myself with each ones management interface, and it is
worse when there are usually 2 or 3 versions of each brand in the wild
at all times.

In the case of the Windows 7/2008 family, should I restrict myself to
the built in one, and restrict 3rd party firewalls to monitoring
outgoing connections

Is the Windows 7 family comprehensive enough?

The firewall included with Windows (XPsp3 and later - maybe even sp2,
but it is advised strongly to get yourself to sp3 anyway) is entirely
adequate for most people's needs. Vista and above (Windows Firewall with
Advanced Security) itself has OS supplied control applications for both
simple and complex user configuration. It also includes APIs for other
software to configure some of the firewall's aspects on-the-fly.