RE: Firewall positioning in Large Network

["Hargiss, Jeff" <Jeff.Hargiss () anheuser-busch com>]

i am going to make some assumptions:

1. your internet connection is through your access switch
2. you are trying to protect your network from the internet
3. your access switch connects to your core switch
4. you are using layer 3 (iso model) switching (fast routing, as opposed to
layer 2 switching ((which is not routing))).

in that case:

FIREWALL --> ACCESS SWITCH --> CORE SWITCH 

the only thing that touches the core switches are other switches [access,
server, user, distribution] switches.
no users or servers touch the core directly.
no outside links touch the core directly.

many large networks/companies use firewalls internally also.
[between sensitive networks on the access switches]

in the "real world" you will see a mix of many things, a lot depends upon the
requirements & resources available.

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On
Behalf Of Mubin Shaikh
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:34 AM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Firewall positioning in Large Network

Hi,

Question - 

What is the best logical placement for firewall in large network?

If I have 3000+ user organisation with both core and access switch available,
will i connect my firewall to core switch or access switch ? and why ?

Thanks
-Mubin


 
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