Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Proper rules for proper separation for LANs

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Firewalling
    32 Posts 6 Posters 3.8k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • R
      rpotter28
      last edited by

      I am known to do that… My setup would be running Plex Media server in a FreeNAS  jail, and add a rule in PF on the WIFI net,
      to allow tcp access to the Plex jail ip on the lan, port 32400 only.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • DerelictD
        Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
        last edited by

        Yeah just add rules to the source network interface passing the traffic you want.

        Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
        A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
        DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
        Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • B
          Black Ninja
          last edited by

          @Derelict:

          Yeah just add rules to the source network interface passing the traffic you want.

          So this is most secure way to do it, not putting the file-server on both networks with 2 nics ?

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • DerelictD
            Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
            last edited by

            There is no, "this is more secure than that." It all depends. It is not binary.

            But yes, in general, I would say it is more secure.

            You also eliminate potential asymmetric routing problems.

            It makes essentially no sense to separate two segments (like LAN and DMZ) using a firewall then just bypass the same firewall using a host with a nic on each side.

            Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
            A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
            DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
            Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • B
              Black Ninja
              last edited by

              Thank you.

              From what I understand now pf-sense will move the data on layer3 , instead of layer2 if they were together on the same subnet ? So the traffic will go through pf-sense, from WIFI net to file server on LAN net.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • DerelictD
                Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                last edited by

                If there was a question in there I can't see it.

                Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • B
                  Black Ninja
                  last edited by

                  @Derelict:

                  If there was a question in there I can't see it.

                  I guess you are right.:-))))))))

                  P.S.
                  Not at the moment at least. I have to read and try some things before the real question emerge. Thanks again in a meantime.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • B
                    Black Ninja
                    last edited by

                    Ok but reading from the book and Example configurations I end up with these basic LAN rules. I would like some help to make sure if I did a good job with the rules order. I am pretty sure about the bottom 2 rules , but not about the top ones.

                    Is this the proper order ?

                    ![lan rules.PNG](/public/imported_attachments/1/lan rules.PNG)
                    ![lan rules.PNG_thumb](/public/imported_attachments/1/lan rules.PNG_thumb)

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DerelictD
                      Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                      last edited by

                      It depends on what you are looking to accomplish.

                      Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                      A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                      DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                      Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • B
                        Black Ninja
                        last edited by

                        I thought it shows on the picture.

                        If I have to describe it: I am trying to have have very secure network , by conservatively locking it down and only allow things on "need to know" in this case on "need to pass" base. And while still learning I would like to know if what I doing so far is correct , before it becomes a mess. I really don't know if it makes any difference the order for the first 3 rules for example ?!

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • DerelictD
                          Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                          last edited by

                          I really don't know if it makes any difference the order for the first 3 rules for example ?!

                          The rules show what you have done not what you are trying to do.

                          You continue to think there is one right answer when every network has different requirements, compliance issues, goals, threat models, etc.

                          "need to know" "need to pass"

                          Only you know who needs to know what and what needs to pass where.

                          Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                          A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                          DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                          Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • B
                            Black Ninja
                            last edited by

                            I am thinking that in order to master the pf-sense rules and improve security I need to see examples from experts so I can get an ideas and then tailor it for the specific needs for my network, don't you agree ?

                            P.S.
                            I know there is a lot of information floating around the net , but most of it is wrong or at least not correct and I don't want to learn wrong way. From a people who are trying to be helpful but unfortunately not knowledgeable, and that I think is the worst outcome.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • First post
                              Last post
                            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.