M$ finally acknowledges the nightmare with firewalls with this wonderful "beta" service pack..Read here, and have a laugh!!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

This is shure, I will read that ;)

Thanks

Was planning to switch from Sygate's free firewall to the sp2 version, but by the looks of it, it may be easier to stick with what I have.

Knowing Microsoft's ultimate goal--marketing of multimedia services, why would anyone want to rely on MS's firewall?

I had some trouble yesterday with my ftp, for the first time ever, after installing XP2. Not sure this is related, but strange coincidence.

Where do they acknowledge it is a nitemare?
I have this doc "WF_SP2.doc" and read it prior to installing the sp2 2096 and didn't see that part. (teh part to laugh)
Are you saying thaty bcuz it's being enabled by default and impairing certain types of communications it's a nitemare?

i dunno if i'd agree with that, am i da lone ranger?

That's what it is supposed to do, until you config it for ur own computer or network.

Is this what you were referring to as a nightmare? :lol:
My scenerio (small lan 4-5 boxes) all i had to do was run the network wizard on the ones i wanted to include in file/printer sharing. Works as it did before SP2. Hardly a nightmare.
Bandwagon or just a dislike for them in general?
For me ZoneAlarm still works fine as well as Serve U, flashfxp, etc. on my box.

Guess i read to much first before deploying all they're "wonderful betas"

Seems to works fine so far. an overview for the peeps that haven't downloaded the docs splaining the new features and how it works. The curve ain't all that to figure out how it fly's, seeing that it's still in beta bug's & bad dreams will /are expected to occur.

In Windows XP SP2, there are many changes to ICF for the Windows Firewall, including the following:
" Enabled by default for all the connections of the computer
" New global configuration options that apply to all connections
" New set of dialog boxes for local configuration
" New operating mode
" Startup security
" Traffic source restrictions
" Excepted traffic can be specified by application filename
" Built-in support for IPv6
" New configuration options with Netsh and Group Policy

Enabled by Default for All the Connections of the Computer
Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2 is globally enabled by default. This means that, by default, all the connections of a computer running Windows XP SP2 have Windows Firewall enabled, including LAN (wired and wireless), dial-up, and virtual private network (VPN) connections. New connections also have Windows Firewall enabled by default.

Although this behavior provides more protection for Windows XP-based computers, this default behavior can have consequences for the information technology (IT) department of an organization network with regards to application compatibility and the ability to manage the computers on the network. For more information, see "Windows XP SP2 and the Impact to Enterprise Networks" in this article.

New Global Configuration Options that Apply to All Connections
Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2 allows you to configure settings that apply to all the connections of the computer (global configuration). In Windows XP (prior to SP2), ICF settings are configured per connection, which means that if you want to enable ICF on multiple connections and configure excepted traffic, you must configure each connection separately. When you change a global Windows Firewall setting, the change is applied to all the connections on which Windows Firewall is enabled.

Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2 also allows per-connection configuration. Connection-specific configuration overrides global configuration.

New Set of Dialog Boxes for Local Configuration
The settings for Windows Firewall in Windows XP (prior to SP2) consist of a single checkbox (the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box on the Advanced tab of the properties of a connection) and a Settings button from which you can configure excepted traffic, logging settings, and allowed ICMP traffic.

In Windows XP SP2, the check box on the Advanced tab of the properties of a connection has been replaced with a Settings button, which launches the new Windows Firewall Control Panel applet, from which you can configure general settings, permissions for programs and services, connection-specific settings, log settings, and allowed ICMP traffic.

I think it's a good RC1 rels unless ur IT or Admin of a whole lotta lovin boxes... Then earn ur keep.

edit btw wase4711, I was looking for a good laugh when i seen the title, the laugh will prolly be on me for something i missed :) lates, jiz

naw, I actually like M$. but every machine I have installed any of the "beta" sp's on, have ended up crapping out...It seems like the earlier releases wouldn't work at all with any of my firewalls(sygate/norton/ZAP), so i uninstalled them, and things went back to normal..I was encouraged with this "RC-1 " offerring , hoping they had fixed that issue...
After first installing ver. 2096, I was impressed with the way it worked; all I had to do was disable my Sygate software, and the Windows Firewall was working fine....
Until I checked my d/l speeds...they had dropped in 1/2!

I tried all my normal "fixes", but nothing would work, so I decided to un-install it, and once I did, everything was back to "normal"...
Nothing exotic about my home network, just 4 machines, a media server, and a wireless router thrown in for good measure!

The "humor" for me, is that M$ AND many other companies release "service packs" that end up fixing some things and breaking others.
"Acknowledging" the problems, and documenting their fixes at the same time is an admission they are releasing defective "fixes"...
Maybe I have a demented sense of humor, but the irony of that allways makes me chuckle!

And, what was the icing on the cake for me, a FEDEX messenger just pulled up to my house, and brought me an envelope with SP2 RC-1 2096 on a cd from Micro$$oft, with a nice thank you letter inside!!

Go figure!!!

Windows Firewall is not that bad. Try testing the firewall with http://grc.com. It passed all the tests just like other good firewalls do.

It looks like Microsoft's intention is to have Windows Firewall always ON. If you disable the Firewall, this annoying tray icon appears (which I have failed to remove) saying "Your Computer might be in a risk".

After reading your post i tried turning off the firewall... I don't have that tray icon at all. I shut off everything matter of fact from the control panel, via Security center.

Also under Windows firewall and Automatic updates icons from the control panel.

I even rebooted to "see" if the icon returned, it didn't on my boxes...

If you click on recommendations under each of the three icons in da systems control panel (Classic view) there is a checkbox that allows to monitor ourselves. In the security center applet under recommendations that's the ticket under Firewall... Automatic Updates turns off from the icon in the control panel applet from under da automatic updates icon, but not from the Security Center, if you click change settings from there the sucker turns back on hehe...

Hope i said this right, quadruple multi tasking atm... anyways doing the above should take care of any annoying tray icon.

Edit2 lofl, same Fedex left my hood too ;) all the way in cali.

i hear ya wase4711, i had some issues my self, still snickering at the phone calls i get from teh M$ oem system builder's clan. They trip on themselves & cop to it later.

Is this new firewall in Windows Server SP1 as well?