The numbers in [...] are packet counts (iptables -L -n -v ) Order of rules is important --- packets pass through until they hit match, then are handled by that match. Don't try to hand edit the iptables-save file .. create a script to load your rules using the iptables command (Oskar Andreasson's iptables Tutorial has several excellent starter scripts) By default the best way to build a firewall is to set a policy of DROP on all chains and allow only what you need. The COMMIT ... think like a database.... *grin* that's what actually applies the rules. On May 27, 2003 02:45 pm, Michael Carroll wrote: > Hello netfilter development crew, > > I have a couple, probably straight foreward questions, but I don't know > the answers to and would like to just to clear things up a little bit. > > # Generated by iptables-save v1.2.7a on Tue Apr 15 14:25:35 2003 > *nat > > :PREROUTING ACCEPT [7595:344053] > :POSTROUTING ACCEPT [80:4556] > :OUTPUT ACCEPT [63:3755] > > COMMIT > > That is what is generated when I first do an 'iptables-save > /dir' now > I was wondering what all the numbers inside those brackets stood for, > because when I start to add rules to them those numbers start to change. > They also add the user defined rules just before the COMMIT. Does it > matter in how you type out you iptables rules, like you should DROP > everything first, then start to 'open' ports up correct? Also one other > thing what does the COMMIT mean? > > Thank you in advance. > > Michael Carroll -- Alistair Tonner nerdnet.ca Senior Systems Analyst - RSS Any sufficiently advanced technology will have the appearance of magic. Lets get magical!