After enabling a packet-filtering firewall ruleset for a new server, what is the next step?

After enabling a packet-filtering firewall ruleset for a new server, it's important to test the access from an external perspective to ensure that the firewall rules are behaving as intended. The primary function of a firewall is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

By using an email client from the external network, you can confirm that the firewall is correctly managing traffic to and from the email services of the server. This step is crucial because it allows you to verify that external clients can communicate with the server as intended without any issues that might arise from the firewall settings.

Testing access from an external network captures potential security gaps or misconfigurations that may not be evident when only testing from within the internal network. Ensuring that external access works properly is essential for services that are meant to be available to users outside the organization, such as email.

In contrast, options that suggest testing access from the internal network may not provide a complete assessment of the firewall’s effectiveness, as they do not reflect the interaction that will occur when real external users attempt to access the server.