Hello, as i mentioned in my hello thread, i am working on a project to implement a Unix Firewall server for our network.

Obviously there are some basics that would need to be ironed out before i can think of doing this right. Now distro of Unix aside for now, this is what i am thinking for first steps.

Obviously, deciding i want a fire wall.
Figure out topography. Know where the server will sit when it comes to the network topography.
Decide if i want exclusive or inclusive (I am planning on Inclusive so it is more secure, yes i know it will require a lot of checking up on in the beginning.)

Essentially, at this point, what i am looking for is some advice. what do you all recommend?

Any questions you may have to assist in a good implementation of said Software Firewall? Any advice at this time would help a great deal. I figure one this is all ready to go, then i will be ready to worry about the scripting and setup of the firewall protocols and so on. Which is going to be a task in of itself. At least i have used Linux before, so i have SOME idea what i am doing.

-Path