iptables-save is a command in Linux used to backup the current iptables ruleset configuration. It is used to save the current configuration to a file, which can be later used to restore the configuration or transferred to another system.
Overview
The iptables-save command is used to save the current iptables configuration to a file. This file can be used later to restore the configuration or transferred to another system. The syntax for the command is as follows:
iptables-save [-c] [-t table] [chain]
Options
The following options are available for the iptables-save command:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-c |
Display the packet and byte counters for each rule. |
-t |
Specifies the table to dump. If this option is not specified, then all tables are dumped. |
chain |
Specifies the chain to dump. If this option is not specified, then all chains are dumped. |
Examples
To save the current iptables configuration to a file named iptables-backup, use the following command:
iptables-save > iptables-backup
To backup only the filter table, use the following command:
iptables-save -t filter > iptables-backup
To backup only the INPUT chain of the filter table, use the following command:
iptables-save -t filter INPUT > iptables-backup
Troubleshooting tips
- If the file specified already exists, the command will overwrite the file without any warning. Make sure to provide a unique name for the file to avoid losing any previously saved configurations.
- If the output file is not being created, check if you have the necessary permissions to write to the directory where the file is supposed to be created.
Notes
- The
iptables-savecommand is often used in conjunction with theiptables-restorecommand to backup and restore the iptables configuration. - The saved configuration file can be edited manually to make changes to the iptables configuration.
- It is recommended to backup the iptables configuration regularly to avoid losing any important rules or configurations.