Exempt ICMP from Authentication on Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Essential Business Server, Windows SBS 2003, Windows SBS 2008, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

This procedure shows you how to add exemptions for any network traffic that uses the ICMP protocol.

Important

Because of its usefulness in troubleshooting network connectivity problems, we recommend that you exempt all ICMP network traffic from authentication requirements unless your network risk analysis indicates a need to protect this traffic.

Administrative credentials

To complete this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Administrators group, or otherwise be delegated permissions to modify the GPOs.

To exempt ICMP network traffic from authentication

  1. Open the Group Policy Management Console to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

  2. On the main Windows Firewall with Advanced Security page, click Windows Firewall Properties.

  3. On the IPsec settings tab, change Exempt ICMP from IPsec to Yes, and then click OK.

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