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How to create a Network Filtering Complexity Report with Nipper

The Network Filtering Complexity Report is designed to analyze the filtering configuration of network devices and highlight areas where simplification is possible. This report identifies unused objects, disabled rules, unassigned filter lists, overlapping or contradictory rules, group recursion, excessive commenting, and other configuration issues. By highlighting these complexities, the report helps administrators improve manageability, security, and performance of their network filtering setup.

Scope of the Report

The Filtering Complexity Report can examine a wide variety of network devices supported by Nipper, including firewalls, routers, and security appliances. The report checks for:

  • Unused objects: Filter objects that are defined but not referenced by any rule or policy.
  • Disabled filter rules and rule lists: Rules or lists that exist but are inactive.
  • Unassigned filter lists: Rules or lists that exist but are not applied to any interface, zone, or object.
  • Overlapping or contradictory rules: Rules that conflict or duplicate others.
  • Group recursion: Objects or groups that reference themselves either directly or indirectly.
  • Excessive commenting or inconsistencies in rule documentation.

Creating the Filtering Complexity Report

  1. Go to File → New Report in Nipper.
  2. Add one or more devices to the audit using Config File, Config Directory, Remote Device, or Remote List methods.
  3. On the Reporting Options screen, select the Filtering Complexity Report checkbox. If this option is not available, your active license does not support this feature.
  4. On the Report Comparison screen, you can optionally select a previously generated report to compare results.
  5. Begin the report generation by pressing the Next button. The report will be generated after a short processing time.

Viewing the Filtering Complexity Report

The report is displayed in HTML format by default, within the Nipper Report Browser. From here, you can:

  • Scroll through the report to examine detailed findings.
  • Navigate key sections using the navigation window on the right.
  • Search for key text or phrases to quickly locate issues.
  • Save the report in various formats for sharing or archival purposes.