Hi Sykigh--
Netsh is a command-line tool through which you can configure settings for
network components. In Windows Vista, you can configure Windows Firewall
with Advanced Security settings through a series of commands in the netsh
advfirewall context. Using netsh, you can create scripts to automatically
configure a set of Windows Firewall with Advanced Security settings, create
rules and rules, monitor connections, and display the configuration and
status of Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
To enter the netsh advfirewall context, at the command prompt, type:
netsh
When you enter the netsh context, the command prompt will display the >netsh
prompt. At the >netsh prompt, enter the advfirewall context type:
advfirewall
After you are in the advfirewall context, you can type commands in that
context. Commands include the following:
. export. Exports the current firewall policy to a file.
. help. Displays a list of available commands.
. import. Imports a policy from the specified file.
. reset. Restores Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to the default
policy.
. set. Supports the following commands:
. set file. Copies the console output to a file.
. set machine. Sets the current machine on which to operate.
. show. Shows the properties for a particular profile. For example:
. show allprofiles
. show domainprofile
. show privateprofile
. show publicprofile
You can reach the Windows Vista firewall by going to Control Panel>Windows
Firewall>Change settings link.
Many places you want to reach on Vista can be reached via commands to be
sure, and their has been change in the commands at run and commands at the
prompt for Vista and there are a few books with chapters on them and many
will be relased in the next year probably including the MSFT Press Windows
Command Line for Vista. Commands in run and at the prompt are not always
the same or mutually exclusive.
That said, however, the muscled up Search feature in Vista will allow you to
reach many places including the firewall if you simply type firewall in it
(above the Start button).
These topics should help you with the firewall:
Firewall FAQ:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2140d623-08b5-4356-bb9a-4438a04296ce1033.mspx
Vista Firewall Settings:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/230d8c47-ee63-47e1-a1f6-a1d38b07dbee1033.mspx
Links for Vista Firewall
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/05eee553-6a90-456a-b9e5-fcb4233905431033.mspx
Keep in mind that if you use Win One Care or a 3rd party that you will want
the firewall you choose to rule and you should also maintain a NAT firewall
in a router for supplemental protection--One Care will turn off the Windows
Firewall and its firewall will be deployed.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/69b8f64e-e74a-4021-ac44-8d94ebedb2911033.mspx
Description of the relationship between Windows Firewall and Windows
Security Center in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929462/en-us
Introduction to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa940971.aspx
Good luck,
CH
