# Shorewall

> firewall software

**Wikidata**: [Q671103](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q671103)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorewall)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shorewall

## Summary
Shorewall is a free and open-source firewall software designed to manage network security rules on GNU/Linux systems. It provides a user-friendly interface for configuring firewall policies, enabling users to control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on customizable security rules. As a customizable and highly configurable tool, Shorewall simplifies the management of complex network security setups.

## Key Facts
- **License**: Distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
- **Operating Systems**: Runs on GNU and Linux-based systems.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 5.2.8 (released September 24, 2020).
- **Programming Language**: Primarily written in Perl.
- **Packages**: Available in repositories for Debian, Arch Linux, Gentoo, and Slackware.
- **Website**: Official site at [https://shorewall.org/](https://shorewall.org/) (in English).

## FAQs
### Q: Is Shorewall free to use?
A: Yes, Shorewall is free software licensed under the GNU GPL, allowing users to modify and distribute it.

### Q: What operating systems does Shorewall support?
A: Shorewall is designed for GNU and Linux systems, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of distributions.

### Q: How is Shorewall configured?
A: Shorewall uses a high-level configuration syntax, enabling users to define firewall rules in an intuitive manner without requiring direct manipulation of low-level tools like `iptables`.

## Why It Matters
Shorewall plays a critical role in network security by providing a simplified yet powerful framework for managing firewall rules on Linux systems. Its open-source nature and GNU GPL license make it accessible and modifiable, contributing to its adoption in both personal and enterprise environments. By abstracting the complexity of tools like `iptables`, Shorewall reduces the learning curve for securing networks, ensuring that users can implement robust security policies without extensive technical expertise. This balance of flexibility and usability has solidified its position as a trusted tool in the Linux ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Simplified Configuration**: Offers a high-level syntax for defining firewall rules, streamlining the management of complex security policies.
- **Cross-Distribution Support**: Included in major Linux distributions (Debian, Arch, Gentoo) through official repositories.
- **Active Maintenance**: Regular updates, with the latest stable version (5.2.8) released in 2020, ensuring compatibility with evolving security standards.

## Body
### Overview
Shorewall is firewall software that operates as a high-level configuration tool for GNU/Linux systems. It serves as a wrapper around `iptables` and other low-level utilities, allowing users to define network security rules through a simpler syntax.

### Licensing
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL), ensuring users' freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.

### Operating Systems
- **Supported Platforms**: Designed for GNU and Linux environments, with compatibility across multiple distributions.

### Versions
- **Stable Releases**:
  - **5.2.8**: Released on September 24, 2020 (latest stable version as of 2024).
  - **5.2.1.4**: Released on December 16, 2018.

### Packages
- **Distribution Repositories**:
  - Debian: `shorewall` package.
  - Arch Linux: `shorewall`, `shorewall-core`, `shorewall6`.
  - Gentoo: `net-firewall/shorewall`.
  - Slackware: `network/shorewall` (via SlackBuilds).

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Primarily developed in Perl.
- **Website**: Hosted at [https://shorewall.org/](https://shorewall.org/), with content in English.
- **Documentation**: Includes an Arch Wiki article (English, page ID 16107) and multilingual Wikipedia entries (ar, de, en, it, mr, pl, ru, ta).

## References

1. [The shorewall Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/shorewall/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [Source](http://www.shorewall.net/pub/shorewall/)
3. [Source](https://shorewall.org/pub/shorewall/5.2/shorewall-5.2.8/releasenotes.txt)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013