Firewalls Questions Medium
A network-based firewall and a host-based firewall are two different types of firewalls that serve different purposes and are implemented at different levels within a network.
A network-based firewall, also known as a perimeter firewall, is typically deployed at the network boundary, such as between an internal network and the internet. It acts as a gatekeeper, monitoring and controlling the traffic that enters and leaves the network. Network-based firewalls examine the network packets, inspecting the source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols to determine whether to allow or block the traffic. They are designed to protect the entire network by filtering traffic at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
On the other hand, a host-based firewall is installed on individual devices, such as servers, workstations, or laptops. It operates at the host level, providing protection specifically for that particular device. Host-based firewalls monitor and control the traffic that is sent to and from the device it is installed on. They can examine the network packets, but they also have the ability to inspect the content of the packets, including the application layer (Layer 7) data. Host-based firewalls are typically more granular and can enforce specific rules and policies based on the individual device's security requirements.
In summary, the main difference between a network-based firewall and a host-based firewall lies in their scope and location within the network. Network-based firewalls protect the entire network by filtering traffic at the network boundary, while host-based firewalls provide protection at the individual device level by monitoring and controlling traffic specific to that device.