Firewall Unmanaged Switch

[new_checkie]

Hi All.

I have been asked to setup a firewall appliance at a site. Its currently setup with an unmanaged switch and all the hosts connect to that. They want to allow access in from the Internet so they can get support and want a firewall installed. I havent been out on site to confirm the current config.

But is it even possible to install a firewall to an unmanaged switch? It wouldnt have any vlans etc configured on it so I'm not sure how that would work. I am new to this and only have a basic understanding of networking so please be nice 🙂. Thanks guys

 

[Emerald]

A firewall appliance would be a router or a business router like a Linksys RV042

 

[new_checkie]

A firewall appliance would be a router or a business router like a Linksys RV042

They want to install a checkpoint firewall. Is it possible to install one with an unmanaged switch?

 

[bill001g]

That is really interesting they are going to buy one of the most expensive firewalls there is but they use cheap switches.

It really depends on how complex their network is and what they hope to accomplish. If all they want is to restrict access to and from the internet that should be as simple as unplug router from switch, plug router into firewall and plug firewall into switch where router was. You run firewall in layer 2 transparent mode and you are done.

Obviously if they need to filter between users at the site or try to place more advanced restrictions on the data they would need a better switch