By default, the Windows Firewall, that Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) 
includes, is disabled in SBS 2003 networks. Installing the QFE 872769 
simply enables the Windows Firewall on computers running Windows XP SP2.

Windows XP SP2 defines two Group Policy "profiles" for Windows Firewall 
that are applied based on where a computer is located:

- Domain Profile. This profile is applied when a computer is within the 
Windows Small Business Server network.
- Standard Profile. This profile is applied when a computer is outside the 
network

For example, if you log your portable computer on to the SBS network in the 
office, the Domain Profile is applied. When you take your portable computer 
to a location outside of the company network such as a caf¨Ļand log on to a 
wireless network, the Standard Profile is applied.

These policies are located in the Computer Configuration\Administrative 
Templates\Network\Network Connections\Windows Firewall in Group Policy 
Object Editor.

To disable Windows Firewall, follow the steps below:

1. On the SBS server, click Start and click Server Management.

2. Expand Advanced Management -> Group Policy Management -> Forest -> 
Domains -> your domain, right-click Small Business Server Windows Firewall 
and click Edit.

3. In Group Policy Object Editor, expand Computer Configuration -> 
Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections -> Windows 
Firewall. 

4. Select Domain Profile, double-click Windows Firewall: Protect all 
network connections.

5. Select either of the following options:

A. Disabled - If you select this option, Windows Firewall is turned off and 
you can't turn it on.
B. Not Configured - If you select this setting, administrators can use the 
Windows Firewall component in Control Panel to turn Windows Firewall on or 
off.

6. Click OK, and then exit Group Policy Object Editor.

7. On the Windows XP SP2 clients, run "gpupdate /force" at a command prompt 
to refresh the GPO settings.

Related information:

Windows XP SP2 Deployment Whitepaper:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=33331

Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service 
Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4454e0e1-61fa-447a-
bdcd-499f73a637d1&displaylang=en