> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aviatrix.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Distributed Cloud Firewall Setup and Default Action Rule

> Distributed Cloud Firewall (DCF) provides advanced traffic management capabilities to enforce zero trust principles across your network. This document focuses on enabling the DCF feature and configuring the Default Action Rule, ensuring secure and consistent traffic handling in the absence of...

Distributed Cloud Firewall (DCF) provides advanced traffic management
capabilities to enforce zero trust principles across your network. This document
focuses on enabling the DCF feature and configuring the Default Action Rule,
ensuring secure and consistent traffic handling in the absence of explicit
rules.

<Note>
  If you configured the ThreatIQ and/or Geoblocking features prior to Controller version 7.2.4820, in 7.2.4820 you automatically receive a free Distributed Cloud Firewall (DCF) license.

  If you did not configure the ThreatIQ and/or Geoblocking features prior to
  Controller version 7.2.4820, you are expected to purchase a DCF license. This
  will include the ExternalGroup feature (replaces the ThreatIQ and Geoblocking
  features).
</Note>

## Enabling the Distributed Cloud Firewall Feature

Enabling the Distributed Cloud Firewall feature allows you to create and manage
rules, rulesets, and policies to enforce zero trust principles.

<Note>
  If you enabled Distributed Cloud Firewall in a previous Controller version,
  you do not need to enable it again.
</Note>

To enable the Distributed Cloud Firewall (DCF) feature, if it is not enabled
already:

1. Go to the **Security > Distributed Cloud Firewall > Policies** tab.
2. Click **Begin Using Distributed Cloud Firewall**.
3. Click **Begin** again to confirm the action and enable the feature.

## Default Action Rule for Distributed Cloud Firewall

Starting with Controller version 8.1, the Default Action Rule is automatically
created when DCF is enabled. Legacy rules such as Greenfield and DefaultDenyAll
are no longer generated; the Default Action Rule replaces their function. The
Default Action Rule cannot be deleted.

When you upgrade to Controller 8.1 or earlier, the existing DefaultDenyAll rule
is converted to a non-system rule, which you can delete.

If you use Controller 8.0 or earlier, both a
[Greenfield Rule and a DefaultDenyAll rule](#greenfield-rule-and-defaultdenyall-rule)
are deleted.

After enabling the Distributed Cloud Firewall feature, a Default Action Rule is
created. This is a system rule used to enforce <a href={"/docs/enterprise/" +
"10.1" + "/concepts-architectures/components/dcf/dcf-zero-trust"}>zero
trust principles</a> by controlling how traffic is handled in the absence of
explicit rules. This rule must be set to Deny after it is created, to ensure
that traffic is not permitted by default. The action of the Default Action Rule
is enforced globally; it is part of the broader policy evaluation framework and
is evaluated after all user-defined and system-defined rules/rulesets.

<Note>
  You may see the Manage Rules Better with Rulesets splash screen when you first
  access the Policies tab. If so, click **Acknowledge** to continue.
</Note>

### New DCF Users

1. On the **Security > Distributed Cloud Firewall > Policies** tab, click
   **Begin Using Distributed Cloud Firewall**.

You may have to click **Begin** again to confirm the action. This Default Action
Rule is then created on the Policies tab in the User Ruleset (formerly the V1
Policy List ruleset).

2. Change the action of the Default Action Rule to **Deny**. This is mandatory.

3. Continue with creating DCF rulesets and rules.

### Existing DCF Users

1. On the **Security > Distributed Cloud Firewall > Policies** tab, click
   **Acknowledge** on the splash screen that informs you about the Default
   Action Rule.

The Default Action Rule is displayed on the Policies tab in the V1 Policy List
ruleset. The Default Action Rule replaces the pre-existing DefaultDenyAll rule,
if you used the DCF feature prior to Controller 8.1. You can delete the old
DefaultDenyAll rule if it exists.

2. Change the action of the Default Action Rule to **Deny**.

3. You can delete the pre-existing Greenfield-Rule if it exists, assuming that
   you have reviewed traffic patterns first.

### Modifying the Default Action Rule

You can do the following to the Default Action Rule:

* Change the action from Permit to Deny
* Change the name of the rule
* Enable logging

## Greenfield Rule and DefaultDenyAll Rule

In Controller 8.0 and lower, the placeholder Greenfield Rule prevents traffic
from being dropped before you start configuring the rest of your rules. After
you create additional rules you can move the Greenfield Rule where needed in
your rule priority list. You can edit or delete the Greenfield Rule later, if
desired.

<Note>
  The Greenfield Rule is only enforced on gateways, and not on Security Groups
  in the cloud.
</Note>

By default (if you selected the recommended **Permit All Traffic** option), the
Greenfield Rule has the following attributes:

* Source/Destination Groups: Anywhere (0.0.0.0/0)
* Protocol: Any
* Action: Permit
* Logging: On

The DefaultDenyAll Rule blocks traffic to any CIDR covered in Distributed Cloud
Firewall rules. This rule is not editable.

## DCF-Related Features

If the Distributed Cloud Firewall feature is enabled, these features are
available:

* Enforcement on PSF Gateways
* Enforcement on External Connections
* Enforcement on Transit Egress

You must enable these features from the **Security > Distributed Cloud
Firewall > Settings** tab. With these features, you can enforce <a href={"/docs/enterprise/" + "10.1" + "/reference/dcf/dcf-psf"}>DCF on PSF
Gateways</a>, External Connections, or <a href={"/docs/enterprise/" +
"10.1" + "/reference/dcf/dcf-transit-egress"}>Transit Egress
gateways</a>.

* DCF on Kubernetes Clusters from the Feature Previews list. To use this
  feature, you must enable it from the Discovery of Kubernetes Resources card on
  the **Groups > Settings** tab.

[Managing Distributed Cloud Firewall Rulesets](https://legacy.docs.aviatrix.com/documentation/latest/security/dcf-ruleset-manage.html)

<a href={"/docs/enterprise/" + "10.1" + "/guides/security/dcf/dcf-disable-feature"}>Disabling the Distributed Cloud Firewall Feature</a>
