WatchGuard Firebox System 7.0 User Guide

CHAPTER 10Creating Aliases andImplementingAuthenticationAliases are shortcuts used to identify groups of hosts,networks, or users. The use of aliases simplifies serviceconfiguration.User authentication allows the tracking of connectionsbased on name rather than IP address. With authentication,it does not matter which IP address is used orfrom which machine a person chooses to work. Togain access to Internet services (such as outgoingHTTP or outgoing FTP), the user provides authenticatingdata in the form of a username and password.For the duration of the authentication, the sessionname is tied to connections originating from the IPaddress from which the individual authenticated. Thismakes it possible to track not only the machines fromwhich connections are originating, but the user aswell.User Guide 161