Book Image

Learn pfSense 2.4

By : David Zientara
Book Image

Learn pfSense 2.4

By: David Zientara

Overview of this book

As computer networks become ubiquitous, it has become increasingly important to both secure and optimize our networks. pfSense, an open-source router/firewall, provides an easy, cost-effective way of achieving this – and this book explains how to install and configure pfSense in such a way that even a networking beginner can successfully deploy and use pfSense. This book begins by covering networking fundamentals, deployment scenarios, and hardware sizing guidelines, as well as how to install pfSense. The book then covers configuration of basic services such as DHCP, DNS, and captive portal and VLAN configuration. Careful consideration is given to the core firewall functionality of pfSense, and how to set up firewall rules and traffic shaping. Finally, the book covers the basics of VPNs, multi-WAN setups, routing and bridging, and how to perform diagnostics and troubleshooting on a network.
Table of Contents (14 chapters)

SNMP

SNMP is another application-layer protocol supported by pfSense. SNMP collects and organizes information about managed devices, and is often used to monitor network devices. SNMP-managed networks consist of managed devices, software running on the managed devices (known as agents), and software running on the manager, known as a the network management station (NMS). Management data is organized hierarchically in structures known as management information bases (MIBs).

Enabling SNMP in pfSense will allow it to act as a network-management station, and this will enable you to monitor network traffic and flows, pfSense queues, as well as system information (for example, CPU, memory, and disk usage). It is also capable of running traps on managed devices that are triggered by certain events. SNMP is implemented under pfSense with the bsnmpd service.

It contains the most basic...