I cannot redirect output from commands such as iptables, iptables-save, and ifconfig. For example, any of the following DOESN'T work ( as root ):
The file tmp is ALWAYS blank, that is, 0 bytes in size. Wackier things DO work, such as:
Other commands like:
DO work as expected.

Note that this problem happens regardless if I log-in remotely via ssh or locally on the computer in question. I am clueless as to what is causing this. Any ideas?

The box is running 2.6.25-14.fc9.i686 and boots to runlevel 3. The modifications I've made to the box since installing the OS are things like compiling/installing latest OpenSSH,OpenSSL,httpd,BerkeleyDB,subversion,zlib etc -- nothing really out of the ordinary I'd say.

If I am not mistaken, the redirect operator (>) redirects **anything** that would normally go to the screen as "stdout".

Example:
iptables does not exist on my machine..

"iptables" produces an error message (on the screen)
"iptables" > tmp same error message, nothing in the file
"iptables" 2> tmp nothing on the screen, error message in the file

"ifconfig > tmp" works as expected

Sorry, I should have stated:
in my original example. I also have /sbin in my path. Nonetheless, all of the following give me blank file output:
When I don't redirect the output to stdout is as expected.

I cannot duplicate this. I even installed iptables to test that specifically

Double check you do not have a tmp directory in the directory you are working in?

Also, try this to redirect all output stdout, stderr etc to a file in another directory;


Also test to see if redirection will work to tmp in the directory you are in:

or

Damien

Turns out it was SELinux preventing the write.