Here is small script that does this. Debian or Ubuntu GNU/Linux does not comes with any SYS V init script (located in /etc/init.d directory) .
You create a script as follows and use it to stop or flush the iptables rules.
Please don't type rules at command prompt. Use the script to speed up work.
Procedure for Debian / Ubuntu Linux
A) Create /root/fw.stop /etc/init.d/fw.stop script using text editor such as vi:
#!/bin/sh
echo "Stopping firewall and allowing everyone..."
iptables -F
iptables -X
iptables -t nat -F
iptables -t nat -X
iptables -t mangle -F
iptables -t mangle -X
iptables -P INPUT ACCEPT
iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT
iptables -P OUTPUT ACCEPT
(B) Make sure you can execute the script:
# chmod +x /root/fw.stop
(C) You can run the script:
# /root/fw.stop
A note for RedHat and friends Linux user
Please note that RedHat enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Fedora / Centos Linux comes with pre-installed script, which can be used to stop the firewall:
#/etc/init.d/iptables stop