
Build a Custom Firewall Computer #81
Chapter 9, Administration and Automation
|
249
HACK
When you access the web interface, you are asked for the administrator
password for the machine (which you created when you installed Smooth-
Wall) and then you can configure it. Within the web panel is a huge range of
options and features that you can configure. These options are grouped into
categories which are visible at the top of the page.
If you need to do something that is not accessible in the web interface, you
can use the included Java SSH applet to log in to the machine and type in
commands to an SSH shell.
Enable Port Forwarding
A common requirement when running a network of machines is the need to
have a connection from outside the firewall serviced by a machine inside the
firewall (usually in the DMZ). This is the scenario for those who run a web
or email server and need to have the relevant ports accessible to the outside
world. When a computer connects to your IP address/domain, the first com-
puter that receives the connection is the firewall. Because it is unlikely you
are running a web or email server on the firewall itself (if you are, you really
shouldn’t be because bugs in these programs can compromise the security of
the firewall) you need a method to get that request to the computer that can
handle it. This is where port forwarding comes in. Its purpose is to take the
request for a service ...