Netgear FVS318v3 – Cable/DSL ProSafe VPN Firewall with 8-Port Switch Reference Manual

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Firewall Protection and Content Filtering

The Default DMZ Server feature is helpful when using some online games and videoconferencing 
applications that are incompatible with NAT. The firewall is programmed to recognize some of 
these applications and to work properly with them, but there are other applications that may not 
function well. In some cases, one local PC can run the application properly if that PC’s IP address 
is entered as the Default DMZ Server.

To assign a computer or server to be a Default DMZ server: 

1. Click Default DMZ Server. 

2. Type the IP address for that server.

3. Click Apply.

If you want the firewall to respond to a ping from the Internet, click the Respond to Ping on 
Internet WAN Port check box. This should only be used as a diagnostic tool, since it allows your 
firewall to be discovered. Don't check this box unless you have a specific reason to do so.

Services are functions performed by server computers at the request of client computers. For 
example, Web servers serve Web pages, time servers serve time and date information, and game 
hosts serve data about other players’ moves. When a computer on the Internet sends a request for 

Note: For security, NETGEAR strongly recommends that you avoid using the Default 

DMZ Server feature. When a computer is designated as the Default DMZ Server, 
it loses much of the protection of the firewall, and is exposed to many exploits 
from the Internet. If compromised, the computer can be used to attack your 
network.

Note: In this application, the use of the term “DMZ” has become common, although it is 

a misnomer. In traditional firewalls, a DMZ is actually a separate physical 
network port. A true DMZ port is for connecting servers that require greater 
access from the outside, and will therefore be provided with a different level of 
security by the firewall. A better term for our application is Exposed Host.