Linode Cloud Firewall allows us to create, configure, and add stateful network-based firewalls to Linode services. At Bobcares, with our Server Management Service, we can handle your Linode issues.

Linode Cloud Firewall

Utilizing the company’s free Cloud Firewall service, stateful network-based firewalls can be built, customized, and added to Linode services. Because it is not dependent on the service it is attached to, a Cloud Firewall can be used with multiple Linode services.

Outbound and Inbound Rules

Rules for inbound and outbound traffic can be configured for a cloud firewall. A Linode service’s incoming network connections are restricted by inbound rules based on the port(s) and sources we set up. A Linode service’s outbound network connections are restricted by outbound rules based on the ports and destinations we specify.

Predefined Rules

We can add predefined rules to our Cloud Firewall using the Linode Cloud Manager. The predefined rules support common networking use cases and provide a simple starting point for Cloud Firewalls. We can use the predefined rules as a foundation and further edit their configurations as well as add new custom rules to our Firewall because we can edit any rule applied to a Cloud Firewall.

Configure a Cloud Firewall

1. Firstly, select Firewalls from the navigation menu after logging into the Cloud Manager.
2. Then click the Create a Firewall link on the Firewalls listing page.
3. The Firewall configurations required to add a Firewall are displayed in the Add a Firewall drawer. Set the Firewall up with at least the following fields: ConfigurationDescriptionLabel. The label serves as this Cloud Firewall’s unique identifier. RequiredLinodes The Linode(s) to which this Firewall will be applied. All of the Linodes associated with our account are listed. If we don’t want to use the Firewall on a Linode just yet, we can skip this configuration.
4. Finally, click the Create button to complete the Cloud Firewall creation.

A new Cloud Firewall will accept all inbound and outbound connections by default. We can add custom rules as needed.

Assign Firewall to the Linode Service.

1. Firstly, enter the Linode Cloud Manager, then choose Firewalls from the menu on the left.
2. Then click on the Firewall that we want to attach to a Linode from the Firewalls listing page. This takes us to the Rules page of the Firewall.
3. Then select the Linodes tab. This takes us to the Linodes Firewalls page. The Firewall is displayed on the page if it is assigned to any Linode services.
4. Select the Add Linodes to Firewall option.
5. Then choose the Linode service we want to apply this Firewall to from the dropdown menu in the Add Linode to Firewall drawer. To focus our search, we can also type the name of the Linode service.
6. Finally, assign the Firewall to our Linode by clicking the Add button.

Create Cloud Firewall Rules

We are required to choose Firewall rules from a predefined list that supports common networking use cases when creating a Cloud Firewall for the first time. This section demonstrates how to add new Firewall rules, edit existing Firewall rules, and delete existing Firewall rules.

Update the Cloud Firewall Rules

1. Firstly, enter the Cloud Manager and choose Firewalls from the menu on the left.
2. Then select the firewall you want to add new rules to from the Firewalls listing page. This directs us to the Rules page of the Firewall.
3. Then choose the default action for both inbound and outbound traffic using the dropdown menus on the Rules page for Inbound Policy and Outbound Policy, respectively. All traffic will be accepted unless specifically prohibited by the rules listed, while all traffic will be dropped or denied unless specifically prohibited by the rules.
4. Select the link for “Add an Inbound/Outbound Rule” (click on the appropriate link for the type of Rule you would like to add). A drawer labeled “Add an Inbound/Outbound Rule” appears.
5. Provide the Rule configurations after that.
6. Then to add a new rule to this Firewall, click Add Rule. Repeat the procedure outlined in this section if we need to add any more rules.
7. Once we have finished adding new Firewall rules, check them out on the Rules page that we are automatically redirected to. As they appear on this page, firewall rules are applied in the order they appear, starting at the top. Drag and drop any row into the desired position to reorganize these rules.
8. Finally, on the Rules page, press the Save Changes button.

Edit Cloud Firewall Rules

To edit predefined and personalized Firewall Rules, follow the instructions in this section.

1. Firstly, go to the navigation menu in the Linode Cloud Manager and click Firewalls.
2. Then select the Firewall whose rules we want to change from the Firewalls listing page. This directs us to the Rules page of the Firewall.
3. Then the Edit button for the rule we want to change should be clicked.
4. Update the configurations of the rule as necessary from the Edit Rule drawer.
5. To save the changes and apply them to the rule, click the Add Changes button. Repeat the procedure outlined in this section if we want to edit any additional rules.
6. Finally, save the changes by clicking the Save Changes button on the Rules page.

Delete Cloud Firewall Rules

1. Firstly, enter the Linode Cloud Manager, then choose Firewalls from the menu on the left.
2. Then click on the firewall whose rule(s) we want to delete from the Firewalls listing page. This directs us to the Rules page of the Firewall.
3. In order to remove a rule, click the Delete button next to it. Repeat the procedure outlined in this section if we want to remove any additional rules.
4. Finally, click the Apply Changes button on the Rules page.

Change the status of a cloud firewall

The Cloud Firewall is automatically enabled when we add one. The Firewall is operational when it is enabled. When used with a Linode service, it filters the network traffic in accordance with the Firewall’s rules. When a firewall is disabled, it ceases to be active and stops filtering any traffic for the Linode services it has been configured for.

1. Finally, enter the Linode Cloud Manager, then choose Firewalls from the menu on the left. This directs us to the listing page for firewalls.
2. Then to update the firewall’s status, select the Enable/Disable button corresponding to it. The Firewall’s current status is updated in the Status column on the Firewalls listing page.

Delete a Cloud Firewall

1. Firstly, enter the Linode Cloud Manager, then choose Firewalls from the menu on the left. This directs us to the listing page for firewalls.
2. Finally to delete the corresponding Firewall, click the Delete button next to it. We are asked to confirm the Firewall’s deletion. Select Delete to continue. The firewall is removed, and any services to which it was applied no longer have the firewall filtering network traffic.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, installing firewall software on the computer or using Linode’s Cloud Firewall service are the two primary options to take into account when deciding how to protect Linode Compute Instances. Both are reliable solutions, but one key advantage of using Cloud Firewalls is how simple the configuration is. The Cloud Manager, Linode CLI, or Linode API can be used to create and manage Cloud Firewalls.