I want to put up a linux firewall/router for our office and I'm looking for good books to help me with my research and learning how to set this up. Can anyone recommend a good book for learning how to set up a firewall/router linux box?

Check out the netfilter site here http://www.netfilter.org/documentation/index.html

Just about anything you could want to know about iptables.

I was kinda intrested in books that are made for "iptable idiots".

Personally I have just used the online docs and tutorials. I haven't read any of the books, so I can't recommend any in good conscience. Have you tried a local library? If you find something that is a good reference for you, amazon most likely has it. Good Luck.

Hi,

at first, I had difficulties understanding IP-TABLES too. So, I had my GAL read the manual I got from the internet and had her explain it to me on our date. Below is her explanations. Though it's not complete and came for a GAL of a NEWBIE, it will get your feet dancing!

FIREWALL-IN-A-GALS-POINT-OF-VIEW

IP-TABLES
- filter (table)
input,forward,output (chains for the table filter )
"I use this to check incoming, outgoing and passing packets."

- nat (table)
prerouting,output,postroute (chains for the table nat)
"I use this for masquerading pockets. see SNAT and DNAT option"

- mangle (table)
prerouting,output,input,forward,postrouting (chains for the table mangle)
"I dont know mangle yet!"




FILTER TABLE:

Accept all incoming packets from 1.2.3.4 network. -A is add rule, -s is the source and -j is jump to the action to be taken to the packet
ex1. iptables -A INPUT -s 1.2.3.4/24 -j ACCEPT


DROP all ssh coming from 1.2.3.4 network to 5.6.7.8 network. -d is the destination address and -dport is the destination port. -j DROP will drop the packet without notification. replace DROP with REJECT to politely reject the ssh request or send a .
ex2. iptables -A INPUT -s 1.2.3.4/24 -d 5.6.7.8/24 -dport 22 -j DROP


Note : it is better to make a script when creating rules. my first IP-Tables script does the following;

1) flush all rules
2) allow all access of the local host.
3) IP-TABLE Rules Rules
4) Save the rule and restart ip-tables. (optional)


I will add some more later. My mom is calling me! hehe!

I used "Linux Firewalls" by Robert Ziegler and was satisfied with the results. Every time I go back to it I learn a little more.

The Red Hat Linux Firewalls book is pretty good too, though it does have a bias towards Redhat/Fedora commands.

--edit--
Also, take a look at the frozen-tux tutorial that's available through the netfilter website (available at the link dr0ker posted) or here

yeah Red Hat linux Firewall book is damn good you should read this book if you want to set up your firewall it will really help you

regards
Manya