3. 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.

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

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