It seems like your browser didn't download the required fonts. Please revise your security settings and try again.
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

This Firmware Version Is End-Of-Support

Documentation for this product is no longer updated. Please see End-of-Support for CloudGen Firewall Firmware for further information on our EoS policy.

How to Configure a Distributed Firewall

  • Last updated on

The distributed (or cascaded) firewall is a shared service deployed on a per-cluster basis on the Barracuda Firewall Control Center. The service can be assigned to all managed CloudGen Firewalls in the cluster and allows them to use the same firewall ruleset with local modifications for each individual unit.

Before You Begin

If you want to use Application Control 2.0, the Control Center and the all the managed firewalls must have at least firmware version 5.4.4. For a list of requirements, see the section Requirements for Application Control 2.0 in Distributed Firewall.

Step 1. Create the Distributed-Firewall Service

  1. Right-click on the Shared Services page for your cluster (Multi-Range > your range > your cluster  > Shared Services) and select Create Shared Service.
  2. Enter a Service Name.
  3. Select Firewall as the Software Module.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. Click Activate

The distributed firewall service is visible in the Shared Services of your cluster.

distributedFW01.png

Step 2. Add the Distributed-Firewall Service to a Virtual Server

You can add the shared service to every Barracuda CloudGen Firewall in the same cluster.

Add to all Virtual Servers
  1. Expand Multi-Range > your range > your cluster > Virtual Servers.
  2. Right-click Virtual Servers and select Add Shared Service. The Select Object window opens.

  3. Select the distributed firewall service from the list.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Activate.

The distributed firewall service is now added to all virtual servers in your cluster. Existing standalone firewall services on the virtual servers are automatically deactivated.

Add to one Virtual Server
  1. Expand Multi-Range > your range > your cluster > Virtual Servers > your virtual server.
  2. Right-click your virtual server and select Add Shared Service. The Select Object window opens.

  3. Select the distributed firewall service from the list.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Activate.

The distributed firewall service is now added to your virtual server. If a standalone firewall service already exists on the virtual server it is automatically deactivated.

Step 3. Add Global Access Rules

Create access rules to be used by all firewalls in the cluster. You can create access rules individually or link the global rules to a repository for simplified maintenance.

For more information, see Access Rules.

Step 4. Add networks to Localnet and Specialnet

The Localnet networks are cluster-wide, trusted local networks. These trusted networks are determined for use in the entire cluster service. You must use a cascade access rule in the global rules for the local rules to be evaluated. Use a cascade back access rule in the local rules to go back to the global rules if desired.

The Specialnet networks are server service-wide networks. Specialnet objects are configured below the Distributed-Firewall Specific node, with server service-wide validity. 

The values entered into the Trusted Local Networks and specialnet network objects configuration window are not visible in the configuration dialog of the network object localnet or specialnet.

Step 5. Create Local and Special Access Rules

Use the Locals Rules section to define rules that can generally be applied to servers within a cluster, and should be maintained centrally. Use the Special Rules section to define rules that should only apply to specific server services or network segments. You must use cascade rules in the global ruleset for the local and special ruleset to the evaluated.

Local Rules

Local rules are defined per server service. They can contain a complete ruleset with full functionality. The Local Rules section is evaluated, if the Global Rules cascades to the Local Rules. You must create a cascade back access rule to continue evaluating the global rules.

Special Rules

Special rules are defined per server service. The Special Rules section is only applicable if the Global Rules cascades to Special Rules. You must create a cascade back access rule to continue evaluating the global rules.