What do i need for a simple firewall?

[Gaccm]

I'm compiling 2.4.19, I'm attached to a campus network and all i want is a nice protective firewall. Now, I care about my security so I want to know what things I should include. I'm assuming IP Tables is needed even if I am not doing masqing or port forwarding. What about connection tracking? I'm not creating an ultimate secure box, just something that would definitely stop all the annoying people.

[LrngTheHardWay]

IP Tables will give you (with well-crafted rules) an excellent firewalling solution, with the ability to log in-bound attempts on your system.

Give "man iptables" a look to see what you're in for, then take a look at:
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/resource_files/firewalls/IPTables-Tutorial/iptables-tutorial.html
for a less succinct and easier to digest overview of IP Tables.

HTH

[jumpedintothefire]

Give this a spin...

[neondog]

Also check out www.netfilter.org