iptables v1.4.14: can't initialize iptables table `nat': Table does not exist (do you need to insmod?)

Question

I\'m trying to set iptable rules, and I got following error message when I use iptable :

iptables v1.4.14: can\'t initialize iptables table `nat\': Table doe         


        

Answer 1

IP talbes is just a management tool not the real woker who handle the rules. The real worker is a linux kernal module which iptables relies on. This error happens while iptalbes cannot found that module in kernal, so iptables suggest you to upgrade it :)

Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.

However in most cases it's just the module not added to kernal or being banned, try this command to check whether be banned:

cd /etc/modprobe.d/ && grep -nr iptable_nat

if the command shows any rule matched, delete it. If nothing found in blacklist, try add iptable-nat to the kernal manual:

modprobe iptable-nat

If all of above not works, you can consider really upgrade your kernal...