Chapter 1. Introduction

Table of Contents

1.1. The FB9000

1.1.1. Where do I start?

The FB9000 is shipped in a factory reset state. This means it has a default configuration that allows the unit to be attached directly to a computer, or into an existing network, and is accessible via a web browser on a known IP address for further configuration.

Besides allowing initial web access to the unit, the factory reset configuration provides a starting point for you to develop a bespoke configuration that meets your requirements.

A printed copy of the QuickStart Guide is included with your FB9000 and covers the basic setup required to gain access to the web based user interface. If you have already followed the steps in the QuickStart guide, and are able to access the FB9000 via a web browser, you can begin to work with the factory reset configuration by referring to Chapter 3.

Initial set up is also covered in this manual, so if you have not already followed the QuickStart Guide, please start at Chapter 2.

Tip

The FB9000's configuration can be restored to the state it was in when shipped from the factory. The procedure requires physical access to the FB9000, and can be applied if you have made configuration changes that have resulted in loss of access to the web user interface, or any other situation where it is appropriate to start from scratch - for example, commissioning an existing unit for a different role, or where you've forgotten an administrative user password. It is also possible to temporarily reset the FB9000 to allow you to recover and edit a broken configuration (though you still need to know the password you had). You can also go back one step in the config. For details on the factory reset procedure please refer to Appendix A, or consult the QuickStart Guide.

The remainder of this chapter provides an overview of the FB9000's capabilities, and covers your product support options.

Tip

The latest version of the QuickStart guide for the FB9000 can be obtained from the FireBrick website at : https://www.firebrick.co.uk/support/manuals/

1.1.2. What can it do?

The FB9000 is an extremely versatile network appliance which you can think of as something akin to a Swiss army knife for networking.

It can :

Act as an IP level firewall, to protect your network from direct attack over the Internet.
Allocate network addresses to machines on your network (e.g. DHCP and SLAAC)
Manage multiple networks at once
Modify traffic passing through to do address and protocol-port mapping
Control the speed of different types of traffic (traffic shaping)
Handle the current Internet Protocol (IPv6) as well as legacy IPv4.
Connect to a fibre optic cable using a suitable SFP module
Connect directly to ADSL/VDSL lines using a suitable SFP module

and much more...

1.1.3. Ethernet port capabilities

The FB9000 has two 10G (SFP+) and eight 1G (SFP) ports. The FB9000 aims to work with any SFP, however due to the sheer number available we cannot test with them all.

The function of these ports is very flexible, and defined by the device's configuration. The ports implement one or more interfaces.

Conversely, multiple interfaces can be implemented on a single physical port (or port group) via support for IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, ideal for using the FB9000 with VLAN-capable network switches. In this case, a single physical connection can be made between a VLAN-capable switch and the FB9000, and with the switch configured appropriately, this physical connection will carry traffic to/from multiple VLANs, and the FB9000 can do Layer 3 processing (routing/firewalling etc.) between nodes on two or more VLANs.


Preface		1.2. About this Manual