How to Install iptables Command on CentOS 7

In CentOS 7, the iptables command is no longer included by default. This is because CentOS 7 has transitioned to using firewalld as the primary firewall management tool. However, if you still prefer to use iptables for firewall configuration, you can install it manually.

Why iptables is no longer included by default

As mentioned earlier, CentOS 7 has shifted to firewalld for managing firewall rules. firewalld provides a more dynamic and user-friendly interface for configuring the firewall. While iptables is still a powerful tool, firewalld simplifies the process for most users and is better integrated with systemd.

What iptables does

iptables is a powerful tool for configuring the Linux kernel firewall. It allows you to set up rules for filtering network packets, performing Network Address Translation (NAT), and more. With iptables, you can control how incoming and outgoing traffic is handled by your system, providing an essential layer of security.

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To install iptables on CentOS 7, you can use the following command:

sudo yum install iptables-services

After installing iptables, you can start and enable the service with the following commands:

sudo systemctl start iptables
sudo systemctl enable iptables

You can then use the iptables command for configuring your firewall rules.

Conclusion

While firewalld is the default firewall management tool in CentOS 7, you can still install and use iptables if you prefer its command-line interface and functionality. Understanding how to install and configure iptables can be beneficial for users who are more comfortable with its syntax or require specific features not available in firewalld.