Nvidia nForce firewall, software firewall, or both?

[Gilthanaz]

My new board has the nForce3 chipset which includes a hardware firewall with the integrated NIC. I was about to activate it, but then I wondered if I should use it or my ZoneAlarm firewall, or both? Will they conflict? Anyone who has an Nforce3 board, is the nvidia firewall any good?

[implexant]

Never heard of the nVidia NIC firewall. I'd just use the integrated NIC firewall, or disable the hardware firewall and use the windows firewall (with SP2 on XP). I've found ZoneAlarm to be bloated and a bit overrated. Still a good firewall though, I'm just not really into third-party software firewalls unless they're dedicated, like IPCop, Smoothwall, ect.

But whatever you do, I wouldn't use both. You suddenly have two interfaces that could potentially cause problems with portforwards and other applications accessing the internet. You'll suddenly have two places to look instead of just one.

-Chris

[GroundZero3]

i would run one or the other. not both

[originel]

i don't think they will interfere really. But at the same time i don't really see a reason to run both. Zonealarm will be more feature complete and give you more flexibility, but the nvidia hardware firewall will provide protection the instant the chipset drivers are loaded (one of the first things windows does when booting) as opposed to having to wait until windows has finished loading after you've logged in.

I haven't had a chance to use mine yet since i'm on a wireless network, but when i move to florida and will go back to wired i most likely will.

[Jeordiewhite]

Well hardware firewalls are usually better, in this case it is a hardware firewall(more secure than a software firewall, however no program control except in this case it can). I'd install them both as you shouldn't notice the difference in a software one on top of it for program control. However service pack 2 has program control(limmited) with it's firewall, mainly asks for server rights, i.e. for online games etc. Why I mention the windows firewall, contrary to what implexant said, nvidia's nv net firewall is controlled by the Microsoft Windows firewall to configure the firewall. I found most people said you could not configure the windows firewall to work with file sharing programs or such as an ftp. This is incorrect, I entered in the proper settings to the firewall to see if i could allow an ftp or such. It worked just fine if you know how to enter port settings.
I've used zone alarm ontop of the windows firewall just for testing, zone alarm disables it but can be changed, works just fine.
If you have a router with a hardware firewall, then it's not personally needed, but if not then try nvidia's firewall to see how you like it anyhow, with a router etc, i wouldn't use both a software firewall and nvidia's.

[implexant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeordiewhite

Why I mention the windows firewall, contrary to what implexant said, nvidia's nv net firewall is controlled by the Microsoft Windows firewall to configure the firewall. I found most people said you could not configure the windows firewall to work with file sharing programs or such as an ftp. This is incorrect, I entered in the proper settings to the firewall to see if i could allow an ftp or such. It worked just fine if you know how to enter port settings.

You heard wrong. The XP SP2 firewall can allow any TCP/UDP port. This can arranged to work with BitTorrent, FTP (and FXP), and other file transfer methods.

-Chris

[Jeordiewhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by implexant

You heard wrong. The XP SP2 firewall can allow any TCP/UDP port. This can arranged to work with BitTorrent, FTP (and FXP), and other file transfer methods.

-Chris

Quote:

found most people said you could not configure the windows firewall to work with file sharing programs or such as an ftp. This is incorrect, I entered in the proper settings to the firewall to see if i could allow an ftp or such. It worked just fine if you know how to enter port settings.

[implexant]

My bad. I just skimmed your post.

I'm drinking waayyyyy too much eggnog currently.

-Chris