Save iptables when iptables-save doesn't exist?

Question

I'm working on a Soekris net4801 that is running an unknown distro of Linux. The kernel is 2.4.29, and iptables is v1.3.4.

I can't work out how to save the iptables. I searched the whole system for files/folders containing the name "iptables" and got 3 results:

/user/local/lib/iptables
/sbin/iptables
/lib/iptables

I've tried iptables save, iptables-save and iptables save active.

• "iptables save" and "iptables save active" give me an invalid argument error.
• "iptables-save" isn't a valid command.
• "iptables --help" gives me a list of valid switches, none of which have to do with saving.

Any ideas on how I can save the iptables?

Answer 1

Usually you create a script (like this) that first clears all rules and then creates the rules.

These save commands were added later. I personally don't like them: you can't script.

Usually you add the script to the /etc/init.d dir. The script in the example is already an init-script. Then you have to add links to /etc/rcX.d. If you happen to have a debian-based distro the command update-rc.d will do that for you. Otherwise read this, it's the most distro-independent description I found.

Or google about rc.d and run levels.