diff --git a/src/primaite/game/game.py b/src/primaite/game/game.py
index ef54893e..fbf6ea50 100644
--- a/src/primaite/game/game.py
+++ b/src/primaite/game/game.py
@@ -359,13 +359,18 @@ class PrimaiteGame:
                 for nic_num, nic_cfg in node_cfg["network_interfaces"].items():
                     new_node.connect_nic(NIC(ip_address=nic_cfg["ip_address"], subnet_mask=nic_cfg["subnet_mask"]))
 
-            new_node.start_up_duration = int(node_cfg.get("start_up_duration", 3))
-            new_node.shut_down_duration = int(node_cfg.get("shut_down_duration", 3))
+            # temporarily set to 0 so all nodes are initially on
+            new_node.start_up_duration = 0
+            new_node.shut_down_duration = 0
 
             net.add_node(new_node)
             new_node.power_on()
             game.ref_map_nodes[node_ref] = new_node.uuid
 
+            # set start up and shut down duration
+            new_node.start_up_duration = int(node_cfg.get("start_up_duration", 3))
+            new_node.shut_down_duration = int(node_cfg.get("shut_down_duration", 3))
+
         # 2. create links between nodes
         for link_cfg in links_cfg:
             node_a = net.nodes[game.ref_map_nodes[link_cfg["endpoint_a_ref"]]]
diff --git a/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_firewall_config.py b/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_firewall_config.py
index ae71809b..2e0556e9 100644
--- a/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_firewall_config.py
+++ b/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_firewall_config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from primaite.simulator.network.container import Network
+from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.node_operating_state import NodeOperatingState
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.host.computer import Computer
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.host.server import Server
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.network.firewall import Firewall
@@ -20,7 +21,10 @@ def test_firewall_is_in_configuration(dmz_config):
     """Test that the firewall exists in the configuration file."""
     network: Network = dmz_config
 
-    assert network.get_node_by_hostname("firewall")
+    firewall: Firewall = network.get_node_by_hostname("firewall")
+
+    assert firewall
+    assert firewall.operating_state == NodeOperatingState.ON
 
 
 def test_firewall_routes_are_correctly_added(dmz_config):
@@ -39,6 +43,11 @@ def test_firewall_routes_are_correctly_added(dmz_config):
     assert external_computer.ping(client_1.network_interface[1].ip_address)
     assert external_server.ping(client_1.network_interface[1].ip_address)
 
+    # client_1 should be able to ping other nodes
+    assert client_1.ping(dmz_server.network_interface[1].ip_address)
+    assert client_1.ping(external_computer.network_interface[1].ip_address)
+    assert client_1.ping(external_server.network_interface[1].ip_address)
+
 
 def test_firewall_acl_rules_correctly_added(dmz_config):
     """
diff --git a/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_router_config.py b/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_router_config.py
index fbaca12d..4382cc30 100644
--- a/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_router_config.py
+++ b/tests/integration_tests/configuration_file_parsing/nodes/network/test_router_config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from primaite.simulator.network.container import Network
+from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.node_operating_state import NodeOperatingState
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.host.computer import Computer
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.host.server import Server
 from primaite.simulator.network.hardware.nodes.network.router import ACLAction, Router
@@ -19,7 +20,10 @@ def test_router_is_in_configuration(dmz_config):
     """Test that the router exists in the configuration file."""
     network: Network = dmz_config
 
-    assert network.get_node_by_hostname("router_1")
+    router_1: Router = network.get_node_by_hostname("router_1")
+
+    assert router_1
+    assert router_1.operating_state == NodeOperatingState.ON
 
 
 def test_router_routes_are_correctly_added(dmz_config):