Windows Firewall issues.

[J741]

Small Business Server 2003. 7 Windows XP Pro. workstations. Users and Administrator are unable to access Windows Firewall settings on the workstations.

I found out that this is controlled by some kind of default domain server policy setting. However, I don't know where to edit this policy.

What I want to do is to add specific ports to be permitted access through the Windows Firewall.

Can someone tell me how to easily and simply do this?

- James.


My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember

 

[msworld]

This may help,

You cannot configure Windows Firewall settings or Security Center ...Updates group policy to configure Windows Firewall settings on a Windows XP ... computer that is running Windows XP SP2 to a Windows SBS 2003-based network ...
support.microsoft.com/kb/872769/


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on

http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[J741]

That MS KB article is what I already read. It tells me that the firewall settings are now controlled by group policy settings on the Small Business Server. It talks about how the firewall was completely disabled, and indicates a patch with enables the firewall on all client computers. I must already have this patch as part of Windows Updates, because the following statement is ture:

"Be aware that Windows Firewall settings will continue to be dimmed in the Security Center and in the network properties of the client computers because these settings are configured by Group Policy"

What the article does NOT tell me is how and where to edit the 'Group Policy' to enable specific ports to pass through the firewall on each workstation.

- James.


My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember

 

[J741]

** PROBLEM SOLVED ** (maybe)

I found this very detailed article:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/smallbusiness/prodtech/windowsxp/fwgrppol.mspx

It answered my question, and I am now able to solve my problem. At least I think it will solve my problem; I'll find out tomorrow when I test it.

- James.

My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember