Limit match does not support invert, and without loss of backwards compatibility, it won't anytime soon. It doesn't help that the iptables tutorial claims it does. The userspace code tries to warn users it won't work, but only correctly deals with one of the two possible invert cases: # iptables -A foo -m limit --limit ! 1/sec iptables v1.2.11: Unexpected `!' after --limit Try `iptables -h' or 'iptables --help' for more information. but not this one: # iptables -A foo -m limit ! --limit 1/sec The below patch fixes this up, closing bugzilla #95, perhaps to the chagrin of those who would like to see limit support invert. Phil