Getting Started with Palo Alto Networks Firewall Series

[jdelio]

We try our best to make something that is difficult a little easier. 

Everyday, security professionals are presented with new challenges, and tasks—which can feel daunting in an ever-changing world and near-constant cyberattacks. When it comes to Palo Alto Networks firewalls, it can be hard to know where to start—especially when you are new to Palo Alto Networks devices. That's why we have ample documentation to walk you through every step of the process.

With our Getting Started series, we will cover unboxing your firewall, configuration, setting up logging, NAT, VPN's, and even how to troubleshoot. 

Series 1: Did you just receive your Palo Alto Networks firewall? 

This is a great place to start if you just got a new firewall and aren't sure what to do next. Video included!

• Getting Started: Layer 3, NAT, and DHCP. What comes next? For most users, it's setting up Layer3, NAT and DHCP. This will walk you through that. Be sure to check out the video below.
  • Video Tutorial: Getting Started — Layer 3, NAT, and DHCP
• Getting Started: Layer 3 Subinterfaces. Layer 3 subinterfaces is how you can create virtual interfaces to partition your network
• Getting Started: Logging. Logging is very important in order to know what is passing through your firewall. We help you get it right.

More videos are in our: Getting Started videos on YouTube.

Series 2: What comes next? Basic configuration to advanced concepts. 

Learn about setting up Layer 2 interfaces on your Firewall.

• Getting Started: Network Address Translation. More information about Network Address Translation and how to use it in your network. Be sure to also check out the video below:
  • Video Tutorial: Network Address Translation (NAT) Network Address Translation can be a confusing subject when getting to know the Palo Alto Networks firewalls, we will help explain how it all works.
• What more can my firewall do? Quality of Service is a way to help control the type of traffic on your network, and how to throttle it.
• Getting Started: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPN's are a big way to help keep traffic on the internet safe and secure. Learn more about setting these up.
• Getting Started: User-ID. With User-ID you are able to control the source based on the user, making rules much easier.
• Getting Started: Custom Reports. In order to help see exactly what is going on in your network, you can use Custom Reports to achieve this.
• Getting Started: Policy Based Forwarding. Use PBF to help control traffic based on policy.
• Getting Started: Custom applications and app override. Custom applications can be used to help handle custom traffic inside of your networks.
• Getting Started: Log Forwarding. If you need your logs forwarded off to a 3rd party software, we explain how to accomplish this.
• Getting Started: Firewall as a PPPoE or DHCP Client. If you need to have a dynamic IP address for your firewall, we help you set that up.

Series 3: How identify and troubleshoot firewall issues:

Now that everything is configured and running, if you run into any issue, you are going to need to know how to troubleshoot it. The third installment covers how to identify and troubleshoot issues with your firewall.

• 🙂Start Troubleshooting: Packet Captures. This is where you will learn more troubleshooting techniques like packet capturing and how to read what you captured to solve issues.

More Info

• TechDocs: Check out the Firewall Technical Documentation and get the most detailed information on every bell and whistle
• Beacon: Beacon is a platform where you can access all technical assets to learn how to confidently install, deploy, and optimize Palo Alto Networks technology. 
• Learning Center: At the Learning Center you can learn more about: Instructor Led training, Free digital learning, Credentialing (PCCET, PCNDA, PCNSE, PCCSE, PCSAE), and the Cybersecurity academy. You can also check out Palo Alto Networks Certifications and Micro‑Credentials.

Thanks for taking time to read my blog.

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As always, we welcome all comments and feedback in the comments section below.

Stay Secure,
Joe Delio
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