A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in networking is a physical or logical subnet that separates an internal local area network (LAN) from untrusted external networks, such as the internet. It adds an additional layer of security by isolating external-facing services, such as web servers, mail servers, and FTP servers, from the internal network. This configuration helps prevent external attackers from gaining direct access to the internal network while still allowing access to public services.
In a DMZ, public-facing services are hosted on servers within the DMZ subnet. These servers handle requests from external users, such as web page requests or email delivery. Firewalls are placed between the DMZ and both the external network and the internal network. The firewall rules control traffic flow, allowing necessary external traffic to reach the DMZ servers and restricting access to the internal network. If a server in the DMZ is compromised, the attacker gains access only to the DMZ and not the internal network, limiting potential damage.
The DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone. It is a security measure used in network architecture to create a buffer zone between an untrusted external network (like the internet) and the trusted internal network. This setup enhances security by segregating and protecting the internal network from potential threats, while still allowing external users to access specific services hosted in the DMZ.