SPI Firewall Importance

[thetoad30]

How important is it that a router have an SPI firewall?

I'm looking at using an Apple router to replace a failed Linksys WRT350N with DD-WRT on it and I note that Apple doesn't have an SPI firewall in it.

Thank you

 

[thiggins]

SPI as implemented in consumer routers is more a marketing term than a real benefit, i.e. it's not important.

 

[Osamede]

SPI as implemented in consumer routers is more a marketing term than a real benefit, i.e. it's not important.

Pls explain further.

 

[thetoad30]

Thank you for the reply, Tim.

I agree with the above; can you please explain further?

Also, is the SPI firewall a function of firmware or a function of hardware? In other words, can a router without SPI today be upgraded with a future firmware to include SPI?

 

[thiggins]

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/lanwan-basics/30336-routers-vs-firewalls

SPI in consumer routers is rudimentary. Generally only looks for things like fragmented packets, floods and other things that you can't do anything about anyway.

You need deep packet inspection to detect content-borne exploits. You don't get this in consumer router "SPI".