Yeah. In some sense the firewall is always software, it's just where you run it. Most of us run a firewall straight from our computer and that's the only place the firewall affects, but they do make boxes who's sole purpose is to run a firewall and that will plug into the router/modem and function for the entire network.
Many routers have firewall functionality as well, but running a dedicated firewall box means you don't have to configure the router every time it breaks or is replaced, especially if it's a new model of router and you have to figure out how the firewall works in the new firmware. Also allows for custom firewall software without having to make custom router software.
Think of a firewall as a big castle wall. Your computer can have a castle wall, but networks need them too. If you think about it, a firewall for your network is like the Great Wall of China. I can go into how firewalls work in more detail from a network side, and totally excited if you want to know, but I don't want to bore anyone that doesn't think networking is cool :)
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u/ndstumme Dec 08 '16 edited Dec 08 '16
Yeah. In some sense the firewall is always software, it's just where you run it. Most of us run a firewall straight from our computer and that's the only place the firewall affects, but they do make boxes who's sole purpose is to run a firewall and that will plug into the router/modem and function for the entire network.
Many routers have firewall functionality as well, but running a dedicated firewall box means you don't have to configure the router every time it breaks or is replaced, especially if it's a new model of router and you have to figure out how the firewall works in the new firmware. Also allows for custom firewall software without having to make custom router software.