Access control list (ACLs)
- Access control list (ACLs) is a table of permissions attached to an object that enables the access of the object to users and applications. Like a firewall, ACLs are also used to monitor traffic and regulate them as per requirement. ACLs carry out a stateless type of inspection, where they inspect packets of data, whereas firewall carries out stateful type inspection, in which the packets are checked for proper encapsulation. Firewalls can conduct up to level 7 security checks, whereas ACLs are restricted only for level 4. A firewall has the only purpose of blocking or allowing traffic over a network. In contrast, ACLs can have applications in other areas such as file management, SQL implementations, and others, along with traffic regulation. The access control list does not involve checking the source of the data. In contrast, the firewall inspects the origin of the data, as well as its destination, after which it decides to allow the data or redirect it elsewhere.
- Access control list, abbreviated as ACL is a list of permissions that regulate the flow of data. Like a firewall, ACL has its application in internet security functions. ACL can also have a wide range of other applications as compared to the firewall, which is mostly limited to monitoring data over a part of the network. All the network routers might not support ACL, but every network server supports a firewall. The inspection carried out by ACL for data does not concern other aspects of the data, such as its origin and destination. In contrast, the firewall conducts a thorough investigation of the incoming data on the network, such as its point of origin and destination. ACL concerns itself with allowing packets of data over an interface, whereas firewall checks the encasement of the data. Firewalls are preferred over ACLs in large scale system installations and can perform up to level 7 security checks, whereas ACLs are limited up to level 4 security checks.