Port Blocking

Need a point in the right direction. I have been given a project for school to modify the linux kernel to block IP ports. I am suppose to create whatever system calls or kernel modules I need and, modify whatever system calls or kernel modules I need to modify to do this task. I am suppose to have a text file that will have the port number and IN/OUT/BOTH as to what to block. All ports are blocked unless specified in the text file. I am new to the linux operating system, so far the only thing in Linux that I know how to do is create a system call, and rebuild the kernel, and thats about it. I am not looking for an answer to this problem, just a point in the right direction. I know a little bit about networking, but not from a Linux perspective. Can anyone please help!

I am running redhat 8 kernel 2.4.21

First off, IP blocking has been in the kernel for ages. Check out netfilter.org. Secondly, your question is muddled and poorly phrased. If you want help, please be rephrase your question. 8)

You can allow and deny in /etc/hosts.allow and /etc/hosts.deny files.

cheers
naveen

Hi rjston,


Sounds like a job for an "iptables" script to me.
The link to "netfilter.org" above should cover all that.

"iptables" exists as a separate package to the
kernel and will be available either pre-compiled or
as source. The kernel only provides a set of "hooks"
that allows for it's use. It is an excellent kernel
level, extensible, firewalling facility.

It is so good, you can even block your self out
of your own machine. Nothing that "single" user mode can't fix though :).

It will try to install a boot script in your
"init.d" directory, ok if your into stuff like that.
I prefer to start it manually, when needed though.
But each to their own i guess :).

A visit to http://projectfiles.com/firewall/
may be useful. They have an script available for
down load, which can act as a template for
personal modifications.

iptables is a very straight forward blocking system,
quite easy to understand and configure.
After the initial exposure period.

You may find it worth while to look into some packages
like "guardog", for a qt/kde gui front end, to
automate the configuration process. Not sure on it's
site at the moment. It'll be on google somewhere
though :)

After all that, check out //grc.com to test your
system.


jm