Pf

If you're using the OpenBSD's pf, which also works on FreeBSD, make sure it's enabled.

# pfctl -si
Status: Enabled

I've been bitten by this while debugging.

# pfctl -N -f /etc/pf.conf

This will reload the nat rules only.. often best to disable the firewall rules when testing nat, so do

# pfctl -Fr

to flush the rules, and just

# pfctl -R -f /etc/pf.conf

to use them again.

# pfctl -Fs 

to flush the current nat states, just remember the existing natted connections will drop when you do this.

# pfctl -ss 

to show the current nat states.

in summary, -Fn the F means to Flush. -sn the s means to show. -N and -R are to load only the Nat or filter Rules respectively.

If you're satisfied with your pf ruleset, you might be interesting in looking into ALTQ. Alternate queuing (ALTQ) is a framework that allows to shape network traffic.

helpful rules for pf.conf

These can mostly be found by logging all of your block rules and then watching with:

# tcpdump -vvv -e -ttt -i pflog0

Once you see something you want to block, usually a reoccuring sequence, you can add a block rule without log enabled.

# block Microsoft Calendar
block in quick on $ext_if proto udp from any to any port {1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 }
# block nmap OS detection scans somewhat (-O)
block in quick proto tcp flags FUP/WEUAPRSF
block in quick proto tcp flags WEUAPRSF/WEUAPRSF
block in quick proto tcp flags SRAFU/WEUAPRSF
block in quick proto tcp flags /WEUAPRSF
block in quick proto tcp flags SR/SR
block in quick proto tcp flags SF/SF

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Official PF page