6.4. Using sets in nftables commands

Procedure 6.13. Using anonymous sets in nftables

1. For example, to add a rule to example_chain in example_table that allows incoming traffic to port 22, 80, and 443:

   # nft add rule inet example_table example_chain tcp dport { 22, 80, 443 } accept

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2. Optionally, display all chains and their rules in example_table:

   # nft list table inet example_table
   table inet example_table {
     chain example_chain {
       type filter hook input priority filter; policy accept;
       tcp dport { ssh, http, https } accept
     }
   }
   

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Procedure 6.14. Using named sets in nftables

1. Create an empty set. The following examples create a set for IPv4 addresses:

   1. To create a set that can store multiple individual IPv4 addresses:

      # nft add set inet example_table example_set { type ipv4_addr \; }

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   2. To create a set that can store IPv4 address ranges:

      # nft add set inet example_table example_set { type ipv4_addr \; flags interval \; }

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   Important

   To avoid that the shell interprets the semicolons as the end of the command, you must escape the semicolons with a backslash.
2. Optionally, create rules that use the set. For example, the following command adds a rule to the example_chain in the example_table that will drop all packets from IPv4 addresses in example_set.

   # nft add rule inet example_table example_chain ip saddr @example_set drop

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   Because example_set is still empty, the rule has currently no effect.

3. Add IPv4 addresses to example_set:

   1. If you create a set that stores individual IPv4 addresses, enter:

      # nft add element inet example_table example_set { 192.0.2.1, 192.0.2.2 }

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   2. If you create a set that stores IPv4 ranges, enter:

      # nft add element inet example_table example_set { 192.0.2.0-192.0.2.255 }

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   When you specify an IP address range, you can alternatively use the Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) notation, such as 192.0.2.0/24 in the above example.