It's debatable. If you learn some Linux and shut down services/ports you don't need, I'm not sure what a firewall will do for you. If your server needs to listen on a certain port, e.g. 81, then you have to open that port on the firewall anyway. If your server isn't listening on port 111 then a firewall blocking that port wouldn't do much good, except save some traffic from hitting the server.
Probably good to close the ports but a firewall does give you much greater protection.
Example: Suppose you notice someone poking around your sensitive ports.. go to the firewall rules and block that specific IP from your box in two simple steps.
Firewalling allows far greater protection than simply turning off ports. Wayne Sagar _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp