SmallNetBuilder

Basic m0n0wall Configuration, Continued

The settings you are going to want to change immediately are on the System -> General setup page (Figure 2):

Figure 2: General Setup page

• Username & Password; obviously the defaults are public knowledge. Most importantly change the password, however changing the Admin username also helps through 'Security by obscurity'. 
• Time zone, select the zone geographically closest to you.
• NTP time server, your ISP might provide a time server for your use. Typically ISP DNS servers also provide NTP services.

After this, your next priority will be to configure the TCP/IP settings of the WAN interface so that the firewall can communicate with the device you are using for Internet access. Typically this device would be a xDSL modem/router, cable modem, ISDN router etc. The main criteria is the device can connect to the firewall using standard Ethernet ² . The WAN interface configuration settings are on the Interfaces -> WAN page (Figure 3).

Figure 3: WAN interface configuration

The configuration options available in m0n0wall v1.0 are:

• Static configuration, useful for direct connections to other networks and routers where your ISP has assigned static IP addresses
• DHCP, useful for both direct connections to other networks and most cable modems
• PPPoE, typically used by some cable and most xDSL modems
• PPTP, more unusual but used by some ISPs to assign IP addresses using cable and xDSL modems ³

The required information for each option is relatively self explanatory; much will have been supplied by your ISP. Selecting each option with the dropdown box enables the relevant areas of the page that require completion.

² Using a miniPCI Wireless Networking card you could connect to a wireless Internet service, however this is beyond the scope of this article.

³ m0n0wall v1.1 provides support for Telstra Big Pond Advance cable customers in Australia.