Firewall FAQ

Questions:

1. What is a firewall?
2. What if I need to make changes to a firewall?
3. I have submitted a firewall change when will it take effect?
4. I submitted the firewall form before 10:00pm on Friday but the change did not take place until the next Friday.
5. Will the firewall affect me getting to the software I need to use, or the data files I work with?
6. Will the firewall change the way I get to my files from home or remote location?
7. Will the firewall eliminate the spam that I get?
8. Will the firewall protect me from viruses?
9. Will the firewall block access to certain web pages?
10. Will I still be able to get to the LAN drives (home and shared) once the firewall is implemented?
11. I have a desktop firewall will I need to change anything to continue using it?
12. I can no longer get to a departmental specific application since the firewall has been implemented, what should I do?
13. My department has a custom firewall. I need to make a change, how long will it take?

Answers:

1. What is a firewall?

   A firewall is a device that acts as a gateway to prevent unauthorized access to the systems and resources of a private network. Firewalls can filter both incoming and outgoing traffic. They are a first line of defense in efforts to control the spread of malicious network traffic.

2. What if I need to make changes to a firewall?

   First make sure that you know what change you want to occur, then fill out the firewall security modification form. Make sure that you detail as much information about the request as you can.

3. I have submitted a firewall change when will it take effect?

   Firewall rules are updated every week on Friday during the normal Preventive Maintenance (P.M.) window, 10:00pm to 2:00am.

4. I submitted the firewall form before 10:00pm on Friday but the change did not take place until the next Friday.

   The cutoff for firewall rules for the current Friday is end of business day Wednesday. This does not guarantee that the rules will be applied, if there are any questions those will have to be answered before the firewall rules are applied. Therefore the more information about what you need and why you need these ports open the better. Also, once you have all of the information, submit the firewall form even if it is not Wednesday.

5. Will the firewall affect me getting to the software I need to use, or to the data files I work with?

   Phase I of the firewall, the datacenter or darkroom firewall, secured systems located in the Miller IT Data Center. When functioning properly, the firewall should not affect your access to enterprise applications or to the data files you work with.
   Phase II of the firewall, the Internet firewall, secured all of the University of Louisville's desktop computers from the Internet. If you access unit and/or school provided services from on campus you should not be affected. If you are trying to access these same services remotely you may not be able to. Contact your Tier One for assistance.
   Any unexpected change in your access should be reported to the HelpDesk (852-7997).

6. Will the firewall change the way I get to my files from home or remote location?

   Yes. the Internet firewall does impact remote access to workstations and servers. To ensure uninterrupted service you should work with your Tier One to complete the firewall security modification form.

7. Will the firewall eliminate the spam that I get?

   No, a firewall does not look at the content of email and does not remove spam. However, a spam filtering product is being use by the university community.

8. Will the firewall protect me from viruses?

   Firewalls are a first line of defense in efforts to control the spread of virus and worm infections, but do not detect viruses directly. Each workstation and server connected to the university network is required to have Symantec Antivirus installed to detect and combat viruses and worms.

9. Will the firewall block access to certain web pages?

   No, firewalls do not look at the content of web pages, and do not block access.

10. Will I still be able to get to the LAN drives (home and shared) once the firewall is implemented?

    Yes, those services were placed behind the datacenter firewall in phase I.

11. I have a desktop firewall will I need to change anything to continue using it?

    No, your desktop firewall will continue to function.

12. I can no longer get to a departmental specific application since the firewall has been implemented, what should I do?

    You should contact your Tier One to let them know of the problem. If you do not have a Tier One or you are the Tier One, then you need to contact the helpdesk (852-7997). Before you contact them make sure that you have the contact information for the application's vendor and the name of the application along with a brief description of how it is being used.

13. My department has a custom firewall. I need to make a change, how long will it take?

    Modifications to the firewall will be processed within two business days of confirmation of the request. Modifications on non-business days and rushed requests are processed at $80/hr with a minimum of one hour.