If you’ve been considering using a Linux firewall solution to protect your network, be sure to check out Mark Stone’s Linux firewall primer on Linux.com. Rather than getting into the actual nuts and bolts of building a firewall or firewall script, he discusses the administrative and decision-making process behind using a Linux firewall.

He starts with a firewall primer, telling us exactly what a firewall is and why you need one (not to mention reminding us that a firewall is not the be-all, end-all solution to protecting your network). He also provides a good definition of stateless and stateful filtering, and also discusses the solutions available for firewall management and dedicated firewall packages/distributions.

It’s written in plain language, so if you’re new to protecting your own network and think of asbestos walls or automotive engine enclosures when people mention firewalls, definitely give this one a read. If you’re an experienced admin, however, you’re probably already aware of everything Stone discusses.