What is Firewall Builder?
Firewall
Builder is multi-platform firewall configuration and
management tool. It consists of a GUI and set of
policy compilers for various firewall
platforms. Firewall Builder uses object-oriented
approach, it helps administrator maintain a database
of network objects and allows policy editing using
simple drag-and-drop operations. Firewall Builder
currently supports iptables, ipfilter, OpenBSD PF as
well as Cisco PIX and Cisco IOS extended access
lists.
The latest version of Firewall Builder is 3.0
List of features implemented in 3.0 can be found
here.
Also do not
miss new slideshows
demonstrating capabilities of Firewall Builder
3.0
Key Features
- Being truly vendor-neutral, Firewall Builder can
generate configuration file for any supported
target firewall platform from the same policy
created in its GUI. This provides for both
consistent policy management solution for
heterogeneous environments and possible migration
path.
- Policy
compiler for PIX, which recently has been
released under GPL, allows Firewall Builder to
function as a sophisticated policy management
software for Cisco PIX firewall with access to all
functions of PIX including newest features added
in v7.x.
-
Policy compiler for Cisco IOS Access Lists
adds support for router access lists and turns
Firewall Builder into complete solution for the
multi-tiered network security.
- Firewall Builder allows for management of
multiple firewalls using the same network object
database. Change made to an object is immediately
reflected in the policy of all firewalls using
this object. Administrator only needs to recompile
and install policies on actual firewall
machines.
- Built-in interactive installer uses ssh to
communicated with the firewall and can
automatically copy generated policy and activate
it. Installer supports batch mode of operation
and can update policy on multiple firewalls in one
session.
- In Firewall Builder, administrator works with an
abstraction of firewall policy and NAT rules;
software effectively "hides" specifics
of particular target firewall platform and helps
administrator focus on implementation of security
policy. Backend software components, or policy
compilers, can deduct many parameters of policy
rules using information available through network
and service objects and therefore generate fairly
complex code for the target firewall, thus
relieving administrator from having to remember
all its details and limitations. Policy compilers
can also run sanity checks on firewall rules and
make sure typical errors are caught before
generated policy is deployed.
Firewall Builder is distributed under dual license model.