Internet connection firewall and home network

[Jud McCranie]

I have a home network with a hardware firewall in the router. I turned on
Internet Connection Firewall, and the computers couldn't see each other on
the network. I turned it off and rebooted, and they could see each other
again. Is this normal? Is there a way to use the firewall and a local
network? Do I need the internet connection firewall if I have a hardware
firewall?


TIA.

 

[CZ]

I have a home network with a hardware firewall in the router. I turned
on
Internet Connection Firewall, and the computers couldn't see each other on
the network. I turned it off and rebooted, and they could see each other
again. Is this normal? Is there a way to use the firewall and a local
network? Do I need the internet connection firewall if I have a hardware
firewall?

Jud:

It is ok to disable ICF, as you are behind a router.
It is normal for ICF to block networking.

Run ZA free and/or BlackIce on each computer to control outbound connection
attempts.

What router did you buy that has a firewall?

 

[Jud McCranie]

What router did you buy that has a firewall?

A Linksys BEFSR-41.

 

[CZ]

What router did you buy that has a firewall?
A Linksys BEFSR-41.


Jud:

Per LinkSys web site:
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&grid=
It is a BEFSR41
It "Creates a NAT Firewall to Protect Your PCs From Outside Intruders "

It has a NAT, not a packet filtering firewall on the WAN ports (or SPI).
If you run ShieldsUp at http://grc.com/default.htm I expect you will find
your ports are closed, not stealthed.

Generally, end user "routers" have NAT to do address translation. Some
brands claim NAT as a firewall. Technically, NAT and packet filtering
firewalls are two different things. Some brands will have SPI as a packet
filtering firewall on the WAN port.