can't initialize iptables table `filter': Table does not exist...
 

When I try to use IPTABLES to secure some connections to SSH... :

# iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s x.x.x.x -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -m limit --limit 3/min --limit-burst 3 -j ACCEPT
iptables v1.4.2: can't initialize iptables table `filter': Table does not exist (do you need to insmod?)
Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.


Using Debian Lenny (VPS).

Any Ideas ?

# apt-get install iptables
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
iptables is already the newest version.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

Make sure iptables is configured in the kernel
If yes, try

Nvm... talk'd to admin and he said it's not enabled...

I am also facing same problem
 

Hi,

I am also getting "Iptables v1.4.2 cab't initialize iptables with `filter': iptables who? ( do you need insmod? )".

My linux kernel version is linux 2.6.32.13
When I executed, I got
# `grep -i iptables /boot/linux.config`
CONFIG_IP_NF_IPTABLES=Y
CONFIG_IP6_NF_IPTABLES=Y
#


Does your problem resolved.

Slightly out of date, but I ran into the same issue.
Turns out you also need CONFIG_IP_NF_FILTER to be enabled, in order for /proc/net/ip_tables_names to also show the "filter" table.

(Found this by running strace on iptables)