CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Where does a firewall typically sit within a network configuration?

1. At the access point for wireless devices

2. In the ingress/egress of a network

3. Directly between two switches

4. Inside a router only

The correct answer is: In the ingress/egress of a network

A firewall typically sits in the ingress and egress points of a network, which are essentially the entry and exit points for data traffic. This is because the primary purpose of a firewall is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. By placing the firewall at these critical junctures, it can effectively filter traffic coming from external networks towards internal resources and vice versa. This positioning helps to protect internal systems from unauthorized access, malicious activities, and potential threats that may originate from outside the organization. In contrast, a firewall is not specifically designed to reside at wireless access points, between switches, or only inside a router. While firewalls can be integrated with routers and switches, and may be involved in managing wireless access, their fundamental role and positioning focus on safeguarding the overall network perimeter.