Configuring a Single Security Gateway in Bridge Mode

Note - This procedure applies to both Check Point Appliances and Open Servers.

Item

Description

1

Network, which an administrator needs to divide into two Layer 2 segments.

The Security GatewayClosed Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to inspect traffic and enforce Security Policies for connected network resources. in Bridge ModeClosed Security Gateway or Virtual System that works as a Layer 2 bridge device for easy deployment in an existing topology. connects between these segments.

2

First network segment.

3

Switch that connects the first network segment to one bridged subordinate interface (4) on the Security Gateway in Bridge Mode.

4

One bridged subordinate interface (for example, eth1) on the Security Gateway in Bridge Mode.

5

Security Gateway in Bridge Mode.

6

Another bridged subordinate interface (for example, eth2) on the Security Gateway in Bridge Mode.

7

Dedicated GaiaClosed Check Point security operating system that combines the strengths of both SecurePlatform and IPSO operating systems. Management InterfaceClosed (1) Interface on a Gaia Security Gateway or Cluster member, through which Management Server connects to the Security Gateway or Cluster member. (2) Interface on Gaia computer, through which users connect to Gaia Portal or CLI. (for example, eth0) on the Security Gateway.

8

Switch that connects the second network segment to the other bridged subordinate interface (6) on the Security Gateway in Bridge Mode.

9

Second network segment.

Procedure:

  1. Step

    Instructions

    1

    Install the Gaia Operating System:

    2

    Follow Configuring Gaia for the First Time.

    3

    During the First Time Configuration Wizard, you must configure these settings:

    • In the Management Connection window, select the interface, through which you connect to Gaia operating system.

    • In the Internet Connection window, do not configure IP addresses.

    • In the Installation Type window, select Security Gateway and/or Security Management.

    • In the Products window:

      1. In the Products section, select Security Gateway only.

      2. In the Clustering section, clear Unit is a part of a cluster, type.

    • In the Dynamically Assigned IP window, select No.

    • In the Secure Internal Communication window, enter the applicable Activation Key (between 4 and 127 characters long).

  2. You configure the Bridge interface in either Gaia PortalClosed Web interface for the Check Point Gaia operating system., or Gaia ClishClosed The name of the default command line shell in Check Point Gaia operating system. This is a restricted shell (role-based administration controls the number of commands available in the shell)..

    Important - On Scalable Platforms (Maestro and Chassis), you must connect to the Gaia Portal of the applicable Security Group.

    Step

    Instructions

    1

    In the left navigation tree, click Network Management > Network Interfaces.

    2

    Make sure that the subordinate interfaces, which you wish to add to the Bridge interface, do not have IP addresses assigned.

    3

    Click Add > Bridge.

    To configure an existing Bridge interface, select the Bridge interface and click Edit.

    4

    On the Bridge tab, enter or select a Bridge Group ID (unique integer between 1 and 1024).

    5

    Select the interfaces from the Available Interfaces list and then click Add.

    Notes:

    • Make sure that the subordinate interfaces do not have any IP addresses or aliases configured.

    • Do not select the interface that you configured as Gaia Management Interface.

    • A Bridge interface in Gaia can contain only two subordinate interfaces.

    6

    On the IPv4 tab, enter the IPv4 address and subnet mask.

    You can optionally select the Obtain IPv4 Address automatically option.

    7

    On the IPv6 tab (optional), enter the IPv6 address and mask length.

    You can optionally select the Obtain IPv6 Address automatically option.

    Important - First, you must enable the IPv6 Support and reboot.

    8

    Click OK.

    Notes:

    • The name of a Bridge interface in Gaia is "br<Bridge Group ID>".

      For example, the name of a bridge interface with a Bridge Group ID of 5 is "br5".

    • To configure MTU on a Bridge subordinate interface, you must configure MTU on the Bridge interface.

      This MTU applies to all subordinate interfaces assigned to this Bridge interface.

    Step

    Instructions

    1

    Connect to the command line on the Security Gateway.

    2

    Log in to Gaia Clish.

    3

    Make sure that the subordinate interfaces, which you wish to add to the Bridge interface, do not have IP addresses assigned:

    show interface <Name of Interface> ipv4-address

    show interface <Name of Interface> ipv6-address

    4

    Add a new bridging group:

    add bridging group <Bridge Group ID 0 - 1024>

    5

    Add subordinate interfaces to the new bridging group:

    add bridging group <Bridge Group ID> interface <Name of First Subordinate Interface>

    add bridging group <Bridge Group ID> interface <Name of Second Subordinate Interface>

    Notes:

    • Do not select the interface that you configured as Gaia Management Interface.

    • A Bridge interface in Gaia can contain only two subordinate interfaces.

    6

    Assign an IP address to the bridging group.

    • To assign an IPv4 address, run:

      set interface <Name of Bridge Interface> ipv4-address <IPv4 Address> {subnet-mask <Mask> | mask-length <Mask Length>}

      You can optionally configure the bridging group to obtain an IPv4 Address automatically.

    • To assign an IPv6 address, run:

      set interface <Name of Bridge Interface> ipv6-address <IPv6 Address> mask-length <Mask Length>

      You can optionally configure the bridging group to obtain an IPv6 Address automatically.

      Important - First, you must enable the IPv6 Support and reboot.

    7

    Save the configuration:

    save config

    Note - The name of a Bridge interface in Gaia is "br<Bridge Group ID>". For example, the name of a bridge interface with a Bridge Group ID of 5 is "br5".

  3. You can configure the ClusterXL object in either Wizard Mode, or Classic Mode.

    Step

    Instructions

    1

    Connect with SmartConsoleClosed Check Point GUI application used to manage a Check Point environment - configure Security Policies, configure devices, monitor products and events, install updates, and so on. to the Security Management ServerClosed Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to manage the objects and policies in a Check Point environment within a single management Domain. Synonym: Single-Domain Security Management Server. or Domain Management ServerClosed Check Point Single-Domain Security Management Server or a Multi-Domain Security Management Server. that should manage this Security Gateway.

    2

    From the left navigation panel, click Gateways & Servers.

    3

    Create a new Security Gateway object in one of these ways:

    • From the top toolbar, click the New () > Gateway.

    • In the top left corner, click Objects menu > More object types > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > New Gateway.

    • In the top right corner, click Objects Pane > New > More > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Gateway.

    4

    In the Check Point Security Gateway Creation window, click Wizard Mode.

    5

    On the General Properties page:

    1. In the Gateway name field, enter the applicable name for this Security Gateway object.

    2. In the Gateway platform field, select the correct hardware type.

    3. In the Gateway IP address section, select Static IP address and configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Security Gateway's First Time Configuration Wizard.

      Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain ServerClosed Dedicated Check Point server that runs Check Point software to host virtual Security Management Servers called Domain Management Servers. Synonym: Multi-Domain Security Management Server. Acronym: MDS. can connect to these IP addresses.

    4. Click Next.

    6

    On the Trusted Communication page:

    1. Select the applicable option:

      • If you selected Initiate trusted communication now, enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Security Gateway's First Time Configuration Wizard.

      • If you selected Skip and initiate trusted communication later, make sure to follow Step 7.

    2. Click Next.

    7

    On the End page:

    1. Examine the Configuration Summary.

    2. Select Edit Gateway properties for further configuration.

    3. Click Finish.

    Check Point Gateway properties window opens on the General Properties page.

    8

    If during the Wizard Mode, you selected Skip and initiate trusted communication later:

    1. The Secure Internal Communication field shows Uninitialized.

    2. Click Communication.

    3. In the Platform field:

    4. Enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Security Gateway's First Time Configuration Wizard.

    5. Click Initialize.

      Make sure the Certificate state field shows Established.

    6. Click OK.

    9

    On the General Properties page:

    • On the Network Security tab, enable the applicable Software Blades.

    • On the Threat Prevention tab, enable the applicable Software Blades.

    Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

    10

    On the Network Management page, configure the Topology of the Bridge interface.

    Notes:

    • If a Bridge interface connects to the Internet, then set the Topology to External.

    • If you use this Bridge Security Gateway object in Access Control Policy rules with Internet objects, then set the Topology to External.

    11

    Click OK.

    12

    Publish the SmartConsole session.

    13

    This Security Gateway object is now ready to receive the Security PolicyClosed Collection of rules that control network traffic and enforce organization guidelines for data protection and access to resources with packet inspection..

    Step

    Instructions

    1

    Connect with SmartConsole to the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that should manage this Security Gateway.

    2

    From the left navigation panel, click Gateways & Servers.

    3

    Create a new Security Gateway object in one of these ways:

    • From the top toolbar, click the New () > Gateway.

    • In the top left corner, click Objects menu > More object types > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > New Gateway.

    • In the top right corner, click Objects Pane > New > More > Network Object > Gateways and Servers > Gateway.

    4

    In the Check Point Security Gateway Creation window, click Classic Mode.

    Check Point Gateway properties window opens on the General Properties page.

    5

    In the Name field, enter the applicable name for this Security Gateway object.

    6

    In the IPv4 address and IPv6 address fields, configure the same IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that you configured on the Management Connection page of the Security Gateway's First Time Configuration Wizard.

    Make sure the Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Server can connect to these IP addresses.

    7

    Establish the Secure Internal Communication (SICClosed Secure Internal Communication. The Check Point proprietary mechanism with which Check Point computers that run Check Point software authenticate each other over SSL, for secure communication. This authentication is based on the certificates issued by the ICA on a Check Point Management Server.) between the Management Server and this Security Gateway:

    1. Near the Secure Internal Communication field, click Communication.

    2. In the Platform field:

      • Select Open server / Appliance for all Check Point models 3000 and higher.

      • Select Open server / Appliance for an Open Server.

    3. Enter the same Activation Key you entered during the Security Gateway's First Time Configuration Wizard.

    4. Click Initialize.

    5. Click OK.

     

    If the Certificate state field does not show Established, perform these steps:

    1. Connect to the command line on the Security Gateway.

    2. Make sure there is a physical connectivity between the Security Gateway and the Management Server (for example, pings can pass).

    3. Run:

      cpconfig

    4. Enter the number of this option:

      Secure Internal Communication

    5. Follow the instructions on the screen to change the Activation Key.

    6. In SmartConsole, click Reset.

    7. Enter the same Activation Key you entered in the cpconfig menu.

    8. In SmartConsole, click Initialize.

    8

    In the Platform section, select the correct options:

    1. In the Hardware field:

      • If you install the Security Gateway on a Check Point Appliance, select the correct appliances series.

      • If you install the Security Gateway on an Open Server, select Open server.

    2. In the Version field, select R81.10.

    3. In the OS field, select Gaia.

    9

    Enable the applicable Software Blades:

    • On the Network Security tab.

    • On the Threat Prevention tab.

    Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

    10

    On the Network Management page, configure the Topology of the Bridge interface.

    Notes:

    • If a Bridge interface connects to the Internet, then set the Topology to External.

    • If you use this Bridge Security Gateway object in Access Control Policy rules with Internet objects, then set the Topology to External.

    11

    Click OK.

    12

    Publish the SmartConsole session.

    13

    This Security Gateway object is now ready to receive the Security Policy.

  4. Step

    Instructions

    1

    Connect with SmartConsole to the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that manages this Security Gateway.

    2

    From the left navigation panel, click Security Policies.

    3

    Create a new policy and configure the applicable layers:

    1. At the top, click the + tab (or press CTRL T).

    2. On the Manage Policies tab, click Manage policies and layers.

    3. In the Manage policies and layers window, create a new policy and configure the applicable layers.

    4. Click Close.

    5. On the Manage Policies tab, click the new policy you created.

    4

    Create the applicable rules in the Access Control and Threat Prevention policies.

    Important - See the Supported Software Blades in Bridge Mode and Limitations in Bridge Mode sections in Deploying a Security Gateway or a ClusterXL in Bridge Mode.

    5

    Install the Access Control Policy on the Security Gateway object.

    5

    Install the Threat Prevention Policy on the Security Gateway object.

For more information, see the: