Helpnetsecurity Fireperf: New Open-Source Tool for Testing Firewall Connection Handling
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- •Fireperf measures firewall connection handling, not just data throughput.
- •The tool supports multiple clients on a single server port simultaneously.
- •It is available for various Linux distributions and is open-source.
The IPFire project has launched fireperf, an open-source tool designed to measure how firewalls and routers handle connections, rather than just data throughput. It can simulate multiple clients on a single server port and track connection setup failures, providing insights into firewall performance under load. Fireperf is particularly useful for administrators and developers who need to evaluate the connection handling capabilities of stateful systems. The tool is compatible with several Linux distributions, including Debian and Arch Linux, and is available for free. Rico Hoppe, the creator, emphasized its unique event-loop design, which differs from traditional bandwidth testers like iperf3. The tool logs connection handshakes and failures, offering a more comprehensive view of firewall performance. It is intended for use in environments where high connection rates are, such as intrusion prevention systems (IPS). The source code and installation packages are readily accessible for users.
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