Rule Order - Advanced Rule Processing

Introduction

The rule order field determines which rule is used when a stream matches two or more rules. This will occur when two rules have endpoints or other criteria that overlap.

For example, Rule A filters all traffic between 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.50 while Rule B filters the address 192.168.0.20 . Any traffic from the client at 192.168.0.20 will have to choose between Rule A and Rule B because they both filter that address.

By giving Rule B a lower rule order, the system knows to check that rule before any others. This causes the traffic to be correctly filtered through Rule B. Rule A is then ignored for that stream.

Usage

Rule order can be used when building a ruleset that includes general purpose, catch-all rules that apply to the entire client base. It is then possible to add rules for specific clients with a lower rule order, ensuring they get processed before the general rule.

Rule order ranges from 1 (processed first) to 9 (processed last). The default value is 5.

Note that rule order performs a different function than a rule's priority field. It is used only for classifying traffic streams with the correct rule, whereas prioritization will process the classified streams in a certain way.

User Interface

Rule order is configured in the advanced processing tab for a rule. Select the appropriate value for the rule from 1 to 9. Most rules can be left at the default value (5).

Specifications