h4cker/linux-hardening/nftables_iptables_ufw_firewalld.md

iptables, nftables, UFW, and firewalld

The following is comparison table highlighting the features and characteristics of iptables, nftables, UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), and firewalld:

Feature	iptables	nftables	UFW	firewalld
Framework	Legacy framework	Modern framework	User-friendly wrapper for iptables	Dynamic firewall management tool
Syntax	Complex syntax	Simplified syntax	Simplified syntax	XML-based configuration files
Rule Evaluation	Top-down order	Ordered by priority	Top-down order	Dynamic and transaction-based
Protocol Support	IPv4 and IPv6	IPv4 and IPv6	IPv4 and IPv6	IPv4 and IPv6
Rule Matching	Basic matching options	Extended matching options	Basic matching options	Extended matching options
Performance	Good	Better performance than iptables	Good	Good
Network Address Translation (NAT)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection Tracking	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Integration	Compatible with nftables (with compatibility modules)	Replaced iptables and ip6tables	N/A	Replaced iptables
User Interface	Command-line interface (CLI)	Command-line interface (CLI)	Command-line interface (CLI) and graphical interface	Command-line interface (CLI) and graphical interface
Firewall Zones	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes
Easy Configuration	Requires detailed rule configuration	Simplified rule configuration	Simplified rule configuration	Simplified rule configuration
Default on Distro	Most Linux distributions	Some Linux distributions	Ubuntu, Debian, and their derivatives	CentOS, Fedora, RHEL, and their derivatives

This table provides a general overview of the features and characteristics of each firewall tool, and the specific details may vary based on the Linux distribution, version, and configuration.