Linux iptables Pocket Reference

The Linux iptables Pocket Reference First Edition by Gregor N. Purdy is an indispensable guide for anyone working with Linux and seeking to harness the power of iptables, the widely-used firewall utility. In this concise yet comprehensive book, Purdy provides a wealth of knowledge, making it an ideal resource for both beginners and experienced Linux administrators.The book begins with an overview of firewall concepts and the role of iptables in securing Linux systems. Purdy's writing style is clear and concise, ensuring that readers can easily grasp the fundamental principles behind iptables. He explains packet filtering, network address translation (NAT), and other essential firewall functionalities, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the book.One of the standout features of this pocket reference is its practicality. The author dives straight into the core of iptables, providing readers with detailed explanations of the various commands, options, and techniques used for configuring firewall rules. Purdy's expertise shines through as he demonstrates how to create, modify, and delete rules, while also covering advanced topics such as connection tracking, logging, and packet mangling.The book's structure follows a logical progression, guiding readers through the intricacies of iptables in a step-by-step manner. Each concept is accompanied by concise examples, command-line syntax, and configuration file snippets, allowing readers to quickly grasp the practical application of the discussed concepts. This approach facilitates easy reference, making it an ideal companion for both learning and on-the-job use.Despite being a pocket reference, the book does not compromise on depth. Purdy provides in-depth coverage of iptables' capabilities and options, ensuring readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the tool. Whether you're looking to configure basic firewall rules or tackle more complex network setups, this book equips you with the knowledge needed to confidently navigate iptables.Another strength of the Linux iptables Pocket Reference is its portability. The pocket-sized format makes it convenient for carrying with you on the go, allowing for quick reference in various scenarios. The concise nature of the book also ensures that important information is presented in a succinct manner, saving readers time and enabling them to find the information they need swiftly.It's worth noting that this is the first edition of the book, and while it covers the core concepts and functionalities of iptables, it may not encompass the very latest updates or advanced features. However, the foundational knowledge provided remains highly valuable, and readers can supplement their understanding with online resources and official documentation to stay up to date with the ever-evolving world of iptables.In conclusion, the Linux iptables Pocket Reference First Edition by Gregor N. Purdy is an essential resource for Linux administrators and network security professionals. Purdy's expertise, combined with the book's practical approach and concise format, makes it an invaluable reference for configuring and managing iptables. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this pocket reference will prove to be an indispensable companion in your journey to secure and protect Linux systems.

Last year, I was forced to become a fly-by-night system administrator. I worked for a small, local startup as its web developer, but was thrust into a sysadmin role when my boss decided to host a website on a server in our office. I was developing the site on our Ubuntu server, but was learning how to secure the server on the fly. This reference, out of all the other books I read and sites I visited, had the most bang for the buck.It's short and sweet. It describes what you should know, and gives you a reference for dealing with iptables syntax, and that's it. No flowery text, no colored pictures. Just simple "This is how to do X."If you're a sysadmin, especially if you're just getting your feet wet, get this book. It's cheap, it tells you what you need to know, and it fits in your pocket. What's not to like?

Concise and very handy. Guides like these aren't meant to be a complete reference on iptables. Yet, the author managed to pack quite a bit into such a small book. 82pages from page 1 to beginning of index.21 pages to theory and operation -- connection tracking, accounting, NAT, SNAT, DNAT, Transparent Proxying, load balancing, and stateless/stateful firewalls.The next 61 pages are a command reference to iptables. It is in the command reference that you shall find interesting little nuggets like:1) How to rate limit incoming traffic. Specific examples provide for allowing only 10 pings per second.2) How to setup IP pools to match source and/or destination addresses. Instead of writing a line for each IP or netblock, throw the addresses into a pool and write a line for each pool.3) How to match multiple ports on the same line.and so on.Worth every penny. Lives up to O'Reilly name. Would recommend for every Linux sysadmin.

Presents the confusing iptables daemon in easy-to-understand terms. If you have ever "man iptables" and got confused as hell, this book is the opposite of that feeling. No, it won't teach you TCP/IP, but it will teach you how to use the protocol to block / monitor / transform / shape / etc etc.Solid buy.

I don't think this requires a long explanation. This is an easy to use, quick reference guide that will serve any admin well. No matter how good one is as a Linux Sysop, there are a lot of complexities that are made easier if you have a little something to help you. Well, this is it. Grab it, you won't regret it!

Tiny book; good summary. Might be better with a little more text about the meaning of some of the iptables output ,essages.

I had a pretty solid working knowledge of iptables before I bought this book. However, there were holes in that knowledge that needing filling. Further, it would be nice to have a quick reference to find out how to use the most commonly used commands in iptables. This book filled that niche very nicely. Strongly recommended for the system admins needing to improve their firewalls.

Very good overview of iptables. Works nicely as a command reference, giving more detail than the man pages but not bogging the reader down with too much filler. Would not be ideal for someone new to iptables.