What are the two main types of access control lists (ACLs)?

Access Control Lists (ACLs) are essential in network security and play a crucial role in controlling the flow of traffic in and out of a network. The two main types of ACLs are Standard and Extended.

Standard ACLs are primarily used to filter traffic based only on the source IP address. They allow or deny traffic based on whether the source address matches specified criteria, making them simple and easy to implement for straightforward filtering needs. They are typically applied closer to the destination or end of an interface.

Extended ACLs, on the other hand, provide more granular control over network traffic. They can filter traffic based on both the source and destination IP addresses, as well as protocols (such as TCP, UDP, ICMP) and specific port numbers. This makes them much more versatile and suitable for complex network configurations and policies, as they allow administrators to specify detailed conditions for traffic filtering.

Understanding these distinctions between Standard and Extended ACLs is fundamental for effectively managing network traffic and ensuring security measures align with network policies.