Linux firewall survey, Part 3: Linux appliance roundup
The idea is simple -- let's get some custom hardware and software, put them into one easy-to-install "black box" and write some software to manage the beast. The end user doesn't need to know what OS is inside, or how to install and configure the software. This approach can be useful -- you can install this kind of firewall in minutes and not worry about playing with installation, reading boring manuals, and so on. The hardware is customized for the software and the software is polished for the hardware. The only problem is that you don't really know how it works -- but intruders probably don't, either.
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