One of the first tasks that is normally performed on a new ISA Server is the configuration of the networks and the associated network rules. This instructs ISA how to handle traffic and provides a base on which firewall rules can be built. For example, an ISA server with three network adapters that are physically connected to three different networks should configure the networks in the console so that ISA understands what IP addresses should exist on each network and how to handle the traffic that comes from those networks. Exploring the Networks NodeThe Networks node, illustrated in Figure 3.2, contains configuration settings for Networks Sets and Network Rules and provides wizards that assist in the creation and designation of these elements. The task pane for the Networks node contains three tabs: Tasks, Templates, and Help. Each of these tabs contains specific functionality and wizards related to ISA's network configuration. Figure 3.2. Viewing the Networks node of the ISA Management Console.In the Central Details pane of the Networks node, there are four unique tabs, Networks, Network Sets, Network Rules, and Web Chaining. Each tab lists its own content, such as a list of the current network rules. Understanding the Definition of ISA NetworksThe term network in ISA should not be confused with the concept of subnets; the two terms are distinct in the ISA world. An ISA network is defined as the grouping of physical subnets that form a network topology that is attached to a single ISA Server network adapter. So, a single ISA "network" could be composed of multiple physical networks. Take, for example, the diagram illustrated in Figure 3.3. Even though there are eight physical subnets, all connected to each other with switches, routers, and gateways, ISA sees these individual subnets as only two networksan internal network and a perimeter networkbecause it has network adapters attached to only a single subnet on each of the networks. To further illustrate, a uni-homed (single NIC) server would see the range of all IP addresses on the Internet as a single ISA network. This concept is important to understand. Figure 3.3. Examining ISA network concepts.In Figure 3.3, for example, ISA is physically connected to only the 10.10.10.x/24 network, but accepts the traffic that is routed from the subnets "behind" this subnet as belonging to the aggregate network topology. This assumes that all the subnets are properly listed in ISA's definition of the network itself. CAUTION If an ISA server is configured improperly with multiple networks that are not physically attached to the ISA server, it assumes that those networks are disconnected and reports a 14147 error. Any responses that are received from that disconnected network are assumed to be IP spoofing attempts and are ignored. It is subsequently important to configure all the physical network subnets properly within the definition of the network to avoid this issue. New networks that are created in ISA share these common characteristics. A few networks created by default on an ISA Server operate in slightly different ways, as defined here:
Keeping these concepts in mind, the process of defining networks in ISA subsequently involves mapping out the entire subnet topology of a network and then defining it within the ISA Console Network Node. Outlining Network SetsA network set is a logical grouping of networks that makes it easier to apply rules and policies to multiple networks at the same time. For example, a rule could be generated to allow web browsing from the All Protected Networks network set. This makes it easier to apply the rule by avoiding creating multiple rules or having to select each individual network for the rule. The following lists the two default network sets and which networks are included in each:
Network sets can be created from scratch and customized as necessary. For example, it may be useful to create a network set to logically organize all the client networks, to make it easier to set up rules to restrict their access to a server network. To create a custom network set, perform the following steps:
Defining Network TemplatesTo assist with the task of setting up ISA network settings, Microsoft has included a powerful and helpful wizard, the New Network Wizard (see Figure 3.4). The New Network Wizard allows ISA administrators to apply network templates to the ISA Server, which automatically configure the appropriate network sets and rules based on standard settings that are most commonly deployed for the type of network design chosen. For example, a simple ISA server with two network adapters, one connected to the Internet and the other connected to the Internal network, could apply the Edge Firewall template. That template would then configure common settings for this design, such as allowing web access for clients in the Internal network and blocking all inbound traffic from the External network. Figure 3.4. Creating a new network set.The following default network templates are included in ISA Server 2004 Standard Edition:
For more information about using the New Network Wizard to apply network templates, see the chapters in Part II, "Deploying ISA Server 2004," especially Chapter 5. Exploring Network RulesA network rule in ISA Server is a mechanism that defines the relationship between networks. For example, the network rules defined in Figure 3.5 define how traffic is transmitted between the source and desintation networks. The network rules defined allow VPN clients to be routed to the Internal network, for the Perimeter (DMZ) network to be accessible, and for Internet access from protected client networks to be defined. Figure 3.5. Examining network rules.Of particular note is the network rule relationships that are set up, which are either Route or NAT. A Route relationship basically defines that the clients on one network can access the clients on the other network by their real IP addresses, with ISA acting as a router for the traffic. The NAT route relationship refers to Network Address Translation, which effectively hides the original IP address of the requesting client, and translates that IP address into an IP address on the destination network, as illustrated in Figure 3.6. NAT translations are common between private Internal networks (10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x, 192.168.x.x, and so forth) and external IP addresses on the Internet. This enables an organization to utilize a small number of external addresses while still providing network connectivity to internal clients. Figure 3.6. Understanding Network Address Translation (NAT).Incidentally, simply because a network rule is created, it does not automatically mean that clients between the networks will be able to communicate between each other. The network rule simply establishes how allowed communication will be transmitted. It is still up to the administrator to establish the particular firewall rules that must be in place to allow specific types of communication to occur between the network, such as allowing web traffic or server publishing between the networks. The same concept applies to thinking in the reverse direction as well. A common mistake ISA administrators make, particularly when first configuring an ISA server, is to create firewall rules without corresponding network rules to provide a relationship between the networks specified in the firewall rule. This makes it difficult to troubleshoot why the firewall rule is not working, as ISA does not automatically explain that both rules must be in place. It is subsequently important to define the network rules in advance, to establish the relationship between two networks before the firewall rules are created. Running the Network Template WizardISA Server 2004 streamlines the ISA configuration process with the addition of the Network Template Wizard, which automates the creation of networks, network rules, and firewall rules per common deployment scenarios for ISA. The Network Template Wizard, run by clicking on one of the templates in the Templates tab of the Tasks pane, makes it easier to deploy and configure an ISA Server, or at least gives administrators a head start toward configuration of the server. The Network Template Wizard is straightforward to use for the application of a network template. After the template is in place, additional networks can be added, changes to network rules can be made, and any additional customization required can be performed. In the following step-by-step procedure, the New Network Wizard is used to apply a 3-Leg Perimeter network template. The same general approach can be used when applying any of the other templates as well.
The subsequent dialog box allows for the opportunity to export the current configuration to an XML-based text file, effectively backing up the configuration in the event that there is a problem created by the wizard. For a production ISA Server, it would be wise to export the configuration at this point, but for a new server with no prior configuration done, this step is unnecessary. To continue with the template installation, do the following:
The Add Adapter button in the Network Template Wizard automatically adds the IP addresses associated with the network adapter chosen, including any routes that the adapter may have configured. This can be a convenient way to establish the IP range of which the Internal network will be composed. In addition, the Internal Network IP Addresses dialog box also allows for entire ranges of private IP addresses to be added to the Internal network. Because private addresses such as 10.0.0.010.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0172.31.255.255, 192.168.0.0192.168.255.255 are not routable on the Internet (Internet routers are configured to drop all packets for clients in internal ranges), it may be easier and just as secure to configure the Internal ranges by adding an entire Private IP Range. Continue with the steps as follows:
In the following dialog box, shown in Figure 3.10 and titled Select a Firewall Policy, several options for default firewall policies are given. These default options create standard firewall policies based on common configurations as follows:
Figure 3.10. Selecting a firewall policy.TIP After the wizard has configured these auto-generated rules, it is highly recommended to audit and customize them to match the role that the ISA Server will play in the organization. Although the wizard creates rules based on common scenarios, in many cases they will require additional customization to comply with the organization's security policies. More information on customizing firewall rules is presented in later sections of this chapter. To continue the template application, do the following:
NOTE Similar to other security products, ISA Server does not automatically apply changes made to the configuration. Instead, these changes must be either applied or discarded. Whenever changes are made, the Apply and Discard buttons are displayed in the Central Details pane. Before Apply has been clicked, the changes made will not go into effect. For more information on performing these activities, including more step-by-step descriptions of the process, refer to Chapter 5. Understanding Web ChainingThe Web Chaining tab, located in the Central Details pane of the console, allows for additional network functionality. Web chaining allows relationships between multiple ISA servers to be established for the purposes of directing and optimizing web browsing traffic. For example, a web chaining rule could be created to force clients in a remote site to use the ISA server of the central location for specific types of content. This allows administrators to more intelligently route web content requests. For detailed information on configuring web chaining, refer to Chapter 8, "Deploying ISA Server 2004 as a Content Caching Server." |