The Linux packet filter iptables lacks a function that dynamically enables ports for authenticated users. Portsmith plugs this gap, allowing users to enable their own connections.
Check Point and Cisco administrators are familiar with firewalls that enable ports after a user logs in. Unfortunately, this technique, sometimes referred to as Client Authentication or Cut-Through Proxy, is often subject to restrictions. Because of the problems associated with authenticating firewalls, iptables does not include this functionality out of the box. Of course, you could add your own custom authentication feature with some scripting, but few admins go to so much effort.
Portsmith offers a free and easy option for authentication at the firewall, and this innovative tool even lets authenticated users enable ports in their own web browsers. To avoid potential security threats, the administrator still keeps control of the permissions. Each user is assigned a set of required communication links and canonly access the resources assigned to those links. This approach stops users from simply punching holes in the firewall ruleset anytime they feel the urge.
OpenBSD's PF supports much more and is much better in terms of security, source code, functionality, redundancy, failover, etc.
AuthPF takes care of the authentication and it's freer than Linux's. This is not to shoot down IPTables as some people still use it because they haven't bothered to see the better alternatives yet.
Comments
OpenBSD's PF still beats IPTables...
John Doe Sep 21, 2009 8:22pm GMT
OpenBSD's PF supports much more and is much better in terms of security, source code, functionality, redundancy, failover, etc.AuthPF takes care of the authentication and it's freer than Linux's. This is not to shoot down IPTables as some people still use it because they haven't bothered to see the better alternatives yet.