RE: are firewalls limited to only protecting ehternet connections?

["KirkAdams" <Kirk-Adams () email msn com>]

Darren Reed wrote:

<SNIP>
> > > Here's the question and concern.  High bandwidth pipes, newer ones,
we're
> > > talking HIPPI pipes.  Are there any firewall implentations that can
manage
> > > such a connection?  Or is this too BIG a pipe and perhaps too new, and
so
> > > not available in existing implementations?0
>
> I think your limitations are going to be host based - what speed is your
> backplane rated at or in the case of a firewall, what's your system bus
> rated to, how fast can you move data around, including in and out of the
> CPU ?  I can't see what would be so difficult aside from keeping up with
> the speed.
<SNIP>

One reason I see this as important is for the impending "streaming video"
market that will be implemented. Basically the new "BlockBusters". Some
video servers claim 20,000 concurrent 1 Meg video streams capability. So ...
where do the switches come from to handle that. I've heard quotes of
blah,blah gig backplanes, since I was checking on this myself and I raised
the security question, (without any answers I might add). Since these
services are likely to be prime targets of BOTH the super hacks and the
existing cable thieves a good firewall would be REALLY important.

OK, guys. That's the market potential. Any suggestions on something that'll
handle it?

Kirk Adams