IPtables of IP Chains

[DTMan]

What is the diffence between the two types of conf files? I read in one book that the preferred file to use for a firewall is the IPtables. After looking in this group, I find that there is more questions about the IPchains. Am I wrong in understanding the preferred file for configuration is IPtables?
I am trying to setup a secure network firewall for small business. It would be very helpful to have further information on this setup.
Thanks in advance.

 

[wolf2x]

IPtables replaced IPchains.

We are a small company with a small network and I use IPchains.

Something that might be of use to you is CoyoteLinux.

http://www.coyotelinux.com

After you do a setup, you just boot off of a floppy (no need for harddrives, everything is loaded in ram memory) and your firewall is good to go. You can add the "Seattle" module to it if you have a DMZ.

Again, I've been using this setup (CoyoteLinux, IPchains) without any problems at all.

 

[wolf2x]

p.s.

of course you will still need to setup your rules

 

[iwasinnamuknow]

ipchains was only supported on older kernels. it is now officially replaced by iptables.

http://www.tldp.org

(the linux documentation project) has a lot of info on firewalling with iptables if you find my advice useful, please rate me.

 

[jrjuiliano]

If you don't want to spend the time doing it you can always download something like IPCop -

http://www.ipcop.org.

It's a complete firewall with everything you might need, and probably nothing you don't.

It's a small file to burn to CD and then you can install it on an older machine. J.R. Juiliano
Information Systems Specialist
Tri-City Emergency Medical Group

 

[Nostradamus]

the reason you find information on ipchains instead of iptables is that iptables is rather new.
Iptables been around since kernel 2.4(?) but ipchains has been around a lot longer.
Several corporations has therefor been developing firewalls for linux using ipchains for some time.
You'll soon find out that the information you find regarding ipchains is updated very unfrequently and as time passes on, Iptables howto's and other information will replace the former (very popular) firewall utility.

If you are about to implement a firewall using linux and iptables/ipchains. I would definitely take time to learn Iptables.
It is more flexible then ipchains. The only downside as of now is the lack of information. But that'll change.

http://www.linuxdoc.org

(as stated previous) is a good place to start. /Sören