ipcop_banner_half_sizeIPCOP is a free and fully functional Firewall product to protect your home or small office. IPCop is a Linux distribution which aims to provide a simple-to-manage firewall appliance based on PC hardware. IPCop is a Stateful firewall built on the Linux netfilter framework.

Originally a fork of the SmoothWall Linux firewall, the projects are developed independently, and have now diverged significantly.

IPCop includes a simple, user managed update mechanism to install security updates when required. I have used IPCop in the past and would recommend it anyone. To Install the system it will require some working knowledge on basic networking. But give it a try. The IPCop Website has a ton of documentation if you get stuck.

Features supported

Interfaces

  • 4 interfaces with typical behavior
  • GREEN : inside network
  • RED : outside network (internet)
  • ORANGE : DMZ (accessible from in and outside)
  • BLUE : inside network for wifi (connect an Access point to this interface)
  • VLAN available alias available on RED interface

Hardware

  • Support i386 and alpha architecture (ppc will be available soon)
  • Memory size supported from 12 MB to 4 GB
  • IDE, SCSI, SATA and RAID disk controller with 250 MB minimal hard disk size
  • Network cards from linux-2.4 kerne (ISA / PCI)
  • SMP kernel available on i386 for HT / multicore or multiples CPU
  • Indirect installation to flash device

Installation

  • Boot from floppy / usb floppy ( usb floppy allow only install from cdrom)
  • Boot / installation from IDE / SCSI cdrom
  • Boot / installation from usb key
  • Boot from PXE enabled network card (need avdhcp and tftp server)
  • Installation from http/ftp server

Translation available in 32 languages

Backup / restore supported media

  • Floppy (restore on new install only)
  • Wweb interface
  • USB key

Core services

  • DHCP client / server
  • Dynamic DNS
  • Host list settable from web interface
  • HTTP / FTP proxy (squid)
  • IDS (snort) on all interfaces
  • Log local or remote
  • NTP client / server
  • SSH server (PSK or password)
  • Traffic shaping (red interface)
  • Content Filtering (with Dansguardian add on)

Firewall features

  • Statefull firewall
  • NAT helper for h323, irc, mms, pptp, proto-gre, quake3
  • Programmable port forwarding to ORANGE address
  • Pin-hole on GREEN or BLUE net
  • Ping answer configurable on all interfaces

IPSEC VPN

  • Roadwarrior and net to net
  • Certificate or PSK
  • Basically it does everything you will ever need to do in a home or small business environment.

As you can see this system does everything you will ever need for a home or small business firewall. DownloadIPCop and install it today at www.ipcop.org.