diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/network/hostport/fake_iptables.go b/pkg/kubelet/network/hostport/fake_iptables.go
index d8c05baddc..08faa77dd8 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/network/hostport/fake_iptables.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/network/hostport/fake_iptables.go
@@ -228,36 +228,27 @@ func saveChain(chain *fakeChain, data *bytes.Buffer) {
 }
 
 func (f *fakeIPTables) Save(tableName utiliptables.Table) ([]byte, error) {
+	data := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
+	err := f.SaveInto(tableName, data)
+	return data.Bytes(), err
+}
+
+func (f *fakeIPTables) SaveInto(tableName utiliptables.Table, buffer *bytes.Buffer) error {
 	table, err := f.getTable(tableName)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return err
 	}
 
-	data := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
-	data.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("*%s\n", table.name))
+	buffer.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("*%s\n", table.name))
 
 	rules := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
 	for _, chain := range table.chains {
-		data.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(":%s - [0:0]\n", string(chain.name)))
+		buffer.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(":%s - [0:0]\n", string(chain.name)))
 		saveChain(chain, rules)
 	}
-	data.Write(rules.Bytes())
-	data.WriteString("COMMIT\n")
-	return data.Bytes(), nil
-}
-
-func (f *fakeIPTables) SaveAll() ([]byte, error) {
-	data := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
-	for _, table := range f.tables {
-		tableData, err := f.Save(table.name)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		if _, err = data.Write(tableData); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-	}
-	return data.Bytes(), nil
+	buffer.Write(rules.Bytes())
+	buffer.WriteString("COMMIT\n")
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (f *fakeIPTables) restore(restoreTableName utiliptables.Table, data []byte, flush utiliptables.FlushFlag) error {
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/prober/prober.go b/pkg/kubelet/prober/prober.go
index acd70bb1ae..827c1dab89 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/prober/prober.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/prober/prober.go
@@ -237,6 +237,10 @@ func (pb *prober) newExecInContainer(container v1.Container, containerID kubecon
 	}}
 }
 
+func (eic execInContainer) Run() error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("unimplemented")
+}
+
 func (eic execInContainer) CombinedOutput() ([]byte, error) {
 	return eic.run()
 }
@@ -257,6 +261,10 @@ func (eic execInContainer) SetStdout(out io.Writer) {
 	//unimplemented
 }
 
+func (eic execInContainer) SetStderr(out io.Writer) {
+	//unimplemented
+}
+
 func (eic execInContainer) Stop() {
 	//unimplemented
 }
diff --git a/pkg/probe/exec/exec_test.go b/pkg/probe/exec/exec_test.go
index bd86777d9e..3621983059 100644
--- a/pkg/probe/exec/exec_test.go
+++ b/pkg/probe/exec/exec_test.go
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ type FakeCmd struct {
 	err    error
 }
 
+func (f *FakeCmd) Run() error {
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (f *FakeCmd) CombinedOutput() ([]byte, error) {
 	return f.out, f.err
 }
@@ -44,6 +48,8 @@ func (f *FakeCmd) SetStdin(in io.Reader) {}
 
 func (f *FakeCmd) SetStdout(out io.Writer) {}
 
+func (f *FakeCmd) SetStderr(out io.Writer) {}
+
 func (f *FakeCmd) Stop() {}
 
 type fakeExitError struct {
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
index c6aedbf144..1cbc78db5b 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier.go
@@ -302,6 +302,14 @@ type Proxier struct {
 	recorder       record.EventRecorder
 	healthChecker  healthcheck.Server
 	healthzServer  healthcheck.HealthzUpdater
+
+	// The following buffers are used to reuse memory and avoid allocations
+	// that are significantly impacting performance.
+	iptablesData *bytes.Buffer
+	filterChains *bytes.Buffer
+	filterRules  *bytes.Buffer
+	natChains    *bytes.Buffer
+	natRules     *bytes.Buffer
 }
 
 type localPort struct {
@@ -417,6 +425,11 @@ func NewProxier(ipt utiliptables.Interface,
 		recorder:         recorder,
 		healthChecker:    healthChecker,
 		healthzServer:    healthzServer,
+		iptablesData:     bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		filterChains:     bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		filterRules:      bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		natChains:        bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		natRules:         bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -976,62 +989,66 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 	// Get iptables-save output so we can check for existing chains and rules.
 	// This will be a map of chain name to chain with rules as stored in iptables-save/iptables-restore
 	existingFilterChains := make(map[utiliptables.Chain]string)
-	iptablesSaveRaw, err := proxier.iptables.Save(utiliptables.TableFilter)
+	proxier.iptablesData.Reset()
+	err := proxier.iptables.SaveInto(utiliptables.TableFilter, proxier.iptablesData)
 	if err != nil { // if we failed to get any rules
 		glog.Errorf("Failed to execute iptables-save, syncing all rules: %v", err)
 	} else { // otherwise parse the output
-		existingFilterChains = utiliptables.GetChainLines(utiliptables.TableFilter, iptablesSaveRaw)
+		existingFilterChains = utiliptables.GetChainLines(utiliptables.TableFilter, proxier.iptablesData.Bytes())
 	}
 
 	existingNATChains := make(map[utiliptables.Chain]string)
-	iptablesSaveRaw, err = proxier.iptables.Save(utiliptables.TableNAT)
+	proxier.iptablesData.Reset()
+	err = proxier.iptables.SaveInto(utiliptables.TableNAT, proxier.iptablesData)
 	if err != nil { // if we failed to get any rules
 		glog.Errorf("Failed to execute iptables-save, syncing all rules: %v", err)
 	} else { // otherwise parse the output
-		existingNATChains = utiliptables.GetChainLines(utiliptables.TableNAT, iptablesSaveRaw)
+		existingNATChains = utiliptables.GetChainLines(utiliptables.TableNAT, proxier.iptablesData.Bytes())
 	}
 
-	filterChains := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
-	filterRules := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
-	natChains := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
-	natRules := bytes.NewBuffer(nil)
+	// Reset all buffers used later.
+	// This is to avoid memory reallocations and thus improve performance.
+	proxier.filterChains.Reset()
+	proxier.filterRules.Reset()
+	proxier.natChains.Reset()
+	proxier.natRules.Reset()
 
 	// Write table headers.
-	writeLine(filterChains, "*filter")
-	writeLine(natChains, "*nat")
+	writeLine(proxier.filterChains, "*filter")
+	writeLine(proxier.natChains, "*nat")
 
 	// Make sure we keep stats for the top-level chains, if they existed
 	// (which most should have because we created them above).
 	if chain, ok := existingFilterChains[kubeServicesChain]; ok {
-		writeLine(filterChains, chain)
+		writeLine(proxier.filterChains, chain)
 	} else {
-		writeLine(filterChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeServicesChain))
+		writeLine(proxier.filterChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeServicesChain))
 	}
 	if chain, ok := existingNATChains[kubeServicesChain]; ok {
-		writeLine(natChains, chain)
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 	} else {
-		writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeServicesChain))
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeServicesChain))
 	}
 	if chain, ok := existingNATChains[kubeNodePortsChain]; ok {
-		writeLine(natChains, chain)
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 	} else {
-		writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeNodePortsChain))
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubeNodePortsChain))
 	}
 	if chain, ok := existingNATChains[kubePostroutingChain]; ok {
-		writeLine(natChains, chain)
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 	} else {
-		writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubePostroutingChain))
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(kubePostroutingChain))
 	}
 	if chain, ok := existingNATChains[KubeMarkMasqChain]; ok {
-		writeLine(natChains, chain)
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 	} else {
-		writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(KubeMarkMasqChain))
+		writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(KubeMarkMasqChain))
 	}
 
 	// Install the kubernetes-specific postrouting rules. We use a whole chain for
 	// this so that it is easier to flush and change, for example if the mark
 	// value should ever change.
-	writeLine(natRules, []string{
+	writeLine(proxier.natRules, []string{
 		"-A", string(kubePostroutingChain),
 		"-m", "comment", "--comment", `"kubernetes service traffic requiring SNAT"`,
 		"-m", "mark", "--mark", proxier.masqueradeMark,
@@ -1041,7 +1058,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 	// Install the kubernetes-specific masquerade mark rule. We use a whole chain for
 	// this so that it is easier to flush and change, for example if the mark
 	// value should ever change.
-	writeLine(natRules, []string{
+	writeLine(proxier.natRules, []string{
 		"-A", string(KubeMarkMasqChain),
 		"-j", "MARK", "--set-xmark", proxier.masqueradeMark,
 	}...)
@@ -1062,9 +1079,9 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 		// Create the per-service chain, retaining counters if possible.
 		svcChain := servicePortChainName(svcNameString, protocol)
 		if chain, ok := existingNATChains[svcChain]; ok {
-			writeLine(natChains, chain)
+			writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 		} else {
-			writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(svcChain))
+			writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(svcChain))
 		}
 		activeNATChains[svcChain] = true
 
@@ -1073,9 +1090,9 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			// Only for services request OnlyLocal traffic
 			// create the per-service LB chain, retaining counters if possible.
 			if lbChain, ok := existingNATChains[svcXlbChain]; ok {
-				writeLine(natChains, lbChain)
+				writeLine(proxier.natChains, lbChain)
 			} else {
-				writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(svcXlbChain))
+				writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(svcXlbChain))
 			}
 			activeNATChains[svcXlbChain] = true
 		} else if activeNATChains[svcXlbChain] {
@@ -1092,12 +1109,12 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			"--dport", fmt.Sprintf("%d", svcInfo.port),
 		}
 		if proxier.masqueradeAll {
-			writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 		}
 		if len(proxier.clusterCIDR) > 0 {
-			writeLine(natRules, append(args, "! -s", proxier.clusterCIDR, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "! -s", proxier.clusterCIDR, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 		}
-		writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
+		writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
 
 		// Capture externalIPs.
 		for _, externalIP := range svcInfo.externalIPs {
@@ -1142,7 +1159,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				"--dport", fmt.Sprintf("%d", svcInfo.port),
 			}
 			// We have to SNAT packets to external IPs.
-			writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 
 			// Allow traffic for external IPs that does not come from a bridge (i.e. not from a container)
 			// nor from a local process to be forwarded to the service.
@@ -1151,16 +1168,16 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			externalTrafficOnlyArgs := append(args,
 				"-m", "physdev", "!", "--physdev-is-in",
 				"-m", "addrtype", "!", "--src-type", "LOCAL")
-			writeLine(natRules, append(externalTrafficOnlyArgs, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(externalTrafficOnlyArgs, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
 			dstLocalOnlyArgs := append(args, "-m", "addrtype", "--dst-type", "LOCAL")
 			// Allow traffic bound for external IPs that happen to be recognized as local IPs to stay local.
 			// This covers cases like GCE load-balancers which get added to the local routing table.
-			writeLine(natRules, append(dstLocalOnlyArgs, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(dstLocalOnlyArgs, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
 
 			// If the service has no endpoints then reject packets coming via externalIP
 			// Install ICMP Reject rule in filter table for destination=externalIP and dport=svcport
 			if len(proxier.endpointsMap[svcName]) == 0 {
-				writeLine(filterRules,
+				writeLine(proxier.filterRules,
 					"-A", string(kubeServicesChain),
 					"-m", "comment", "--comment", fmt.Sprintf(`"%s has no endpoints"`, svcNameString),
 					"-m", protocol, "-p", protocol,
@@ -1177,9 +1194,9 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				// create service firewall chain
 				fwChain := serviceFirewallChainName(svcNameString, protocol)
 				if chain, ok := existingNATChains[fwChain]; ok {
-					writeLine(natChains, chain)
+					writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 				} else {
-					writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(fwChain))
+					writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(fwChain))
 				}
 				activeNATChains[fwChain] = true
 				// The service firewall rules are created based on ServiceSpec.loadBalancerSourceRanges field.
@@ -1194,7 +1211,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 					"--dport", fmt.Sprintf("%d", svcInfo.port),
 				}
 				// jump to service firewall chain
-				writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(fwChain))...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(fwChain))...)
 
 				args = []string{
 					"-A", string(fwChain),
@@ -1206,18 +1223,18 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				// If we are proxying globally, we need to masquerade in case we cross nodes.
 				// If we are proxying only locally, we can retain the source IP.
 				if !svcInfo.onlyNodeLocalEndpoints {
-					writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
+					writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 					chosenChain = svcChain
 				}
 
 				if len(svcInfo.loadBalancerSourceRanges) == 0 {
 					// allow all sources, so jump directly to the KUBE-SVC or KUBE-XLB chain
-					writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
+					writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
 				} else {
 					// firewall filter based on each source range
 					allowFromNode := false
 					for _, src := range svcInfo.loadBalancerSourceRanges {
-						writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-s", src, "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
+						writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-s", src, "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
 						// ignore error because it has been validated
 						_, cidr, _ := net.ParseCIDR(src)
 						if cidr.Contains(proxier.nodeIP) {
@@ -1228,13 +1245,13 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 					// loadbalancer's backend hosts. In this case, request will not hit the loadbalancer but loop back directly.
 					// Need to add the following rule to allow request on host.
 					if allowFromNode {
-						writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-s", fmt.Sprintf("%s/32", ingress.IP), "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
+						writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-s", fmt.Sprintf("%s/32", ingress.IP), "-j", string(chosenChain))...)
 					}
 				}
 
 				// If the packet was able to reach the end of firewall chain, then it did not get DNATed.
 				// It means the packet cannot go thru the firewall, then mark it for DROP
-				writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkDropChain))...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkDropChain))...)
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -1273,13 +1290,13 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			}
 			if !svcInfo.onlyNodeLocalEndpoints {
 				// Nodeports need SNAT, unless they're local.
-				writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 				// Jump to the service chain.
-				writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcChain))...)
 			} else {
 				// TODO: Make all nodePorts jump to the firewall chain.
 				// Currently we only create it for loadbalancers (#33586).
-				writeLine(natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcXlbChain))...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args, "-j", string(svcXlbChain))...)
 			}
 
 			// If the service has no endpoints then reject packets.  The filter
@@ -1287,7 +1304,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			// the nat table does, so we just stick this into the kube-services
 			// chain.
 			if len(proxier.endpointsMap[svcName]) == 0 {
-				writeLine(filterRules,
+				writeLine(proxier.filterRules,
 					"-A", string(kubeServicesChain),
 					"-m", "comment", "--comment", fmt.Sprintf(`"%s has no endpoints"`, svcNameString),
 					"-m", "addrtype", "--dst-type", "LOCAL",
@@ -1300,7 +1317,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 
 		// If the service has no endpoints then reject packets.
 		if len(proxier.endpointsMap[svcName]) == 0 {
-			writeLine(filterRules,
+			writeLine(proxier.filterRules,
 				"-A", string(kubeServicesChain),
 				"-m", "comment", "--comment", fmt.Sprintf(`"%s has no endpoints"`, svcNameString),
 				"-m", protocol, "-p", protocol,
@@ -1325,9 +1342,9 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 
 			// Create the endpoint chain, retaining counters if possible.
 			if chain, ok := existingNATChains[utiliptables.Chain(endpointChain)]; ok {
-				writeLine(natChains, chain)
+				writeLine(proxier.natChains, chain)
 			} else {
-				writeLine(natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(endpointChain))
+				writeLine(proxier.natChains, utiliptables.MakeChainLine(endpointChain))
 			}
 			activeNATChains[endpointChain] = true
 		}
@@ -1335,7 +1352,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 		// First write session affinity rules, if applicable.
 		if svcInfo.sessionAffinityType == api.ServiceAffinityClientIP {
 			for _, endpointChain := range endpointChains {
-				writeLine(natRules,
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules,
 					"-A", string(svcChain),
 					"-m", "comment", "--comment", svcNameString,
 					"-m", "recent", "--name", string(endpointChain),
@@ -1361,7 +1378,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			}
 			// The final (or only if n == 1) rule is a guaranteed match.
 			args = append(args, "-j", string(endpointChain))
-			writeLine(natRules, args...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, args...)
 
 			// Rules in the per-endpoint chain.
 			args = []string{
@@ -1369,7 +1386,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				"-m", "comment", "--comment", svcNameString,
 			}
 			// Handle traffic that loops back to the originator with SNAT.
-			writeLine(natRules, append(args,
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, append(args,
 				"-s", fmt.Sprintf("%s/32", strings.Split(endpoints[i].endpoint, ":")[0]),
 				"-j", string(KubeMarkMasqChain))...)
 			// Update client-affinity lists.
@@ -1378,7 +1395,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			}
 			// DNAT to final destination.
 			args = append(args, "-m", protocol, "-p", protocol, "-j", "DNAT", "--to-destination", endpoints[i].endpoint)
-			writeLine(natRules, args...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, args...)
 		}
 
 		// The logic below this applies only if this service is marked as OnlyLocal
@@ -1408,7 +1425,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				"-s", proxier.clusterCIDR,
 				"-j", string(svcChain),
 			}
-			writeLine(natRules, args...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, args...)
 		}
 
 		numLocalEndpoints := len(localEndpointChains)
@@ -1421,7 +1438,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				"-j",
 				string(KubeMarkDropChain),
 			}
-			writeLine(natRules, args...)
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, args...)
 		} else {
 			// Setup probability filter rules only over local endpoints
 			for i, endpointChain := range localEndpointChains {
@@ -1440,7 +1457,7 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 				}
 				// The final (or only if n == 1) rule is a guaranteed match.
 				args = append(args, "-j", string(endpointChain))
-				writeLine(natRules, args...)
+				writeLine(proxier.natRules, args...)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -1456,33 +1473,37 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncProxyRules(reason syncReason) {
 			// We must (as per iptables) write a chain-line for it, which has
 			// the nice effect of flushing the chain.  Then we can remove the
 			// chain.
-			writeLine(natChains, existingNATChains[chain])
-			writeLine(natRules, "-X", chainString)
+			writeLine(proxier.natChains, existingNATChains[chain])
+			writeLine(proxier.natRules, "-X", chainString)
 		}
 	}
 
 	// Finally, tail-call to the nodeports chain.  This needs to be after all
 	// other service portal rules.
-	writeLine(natRules,
+	writeLine(proxier.natRules,
 		"-A", string(kubeServicesChain),
 		"-m", "comment", "--comment", `"kubernetes service nodeports; NOTE: this must be the last rule in this chain"`,
 		"-m", "addrtype", "--dst-type", "LOCAL",
 		"-j", string(kubeNodePortsChain))
 
 	// Write the end-of-table markers.
-	writeLine(filterRules, "COMMIT")
-	writeLine(natRules, "COMMIT")
+	writeLine(proxier.filterRules, "COMMIT")
+	writeLine(proxier.natRules, "COMMIT")
 
 	// Sync rules.
-	// NOTE: NoFlushTables is used so we don't flush non-kubernetes chains in the table.
-	filterLines := append(filterChains.Bytes(), filterRules.Bytes()...)
-	natLines := append(natChains.Bytes(), natRules.Bytes()...)
-	lines := append(filterLines, natLines...)
+	// NOTE: NoFlushTables is used so we don't flush non-kubernetes chains in the table
+	proxier.iptablesData.Reset()
+	proxier.iptablesData.Write(proxier.filterChains.Bytes())
+	proxier.iptablesData.Write(proxier.filterRules.Bytes())
+	proxier.iptablesData.Write(proxier.natChains.Bytes())
+	proxier.iptablesData.Write(proxier.natRules.Bytes())
 
-	glog.V(3).Infof("Restoring iptables rules: %s", lines)
-	err = proxier.iptables.RestoreAll(lines, utiliptables.NoFlushTables, utiliptables.RestoreCounters)
+	if glog.V(5) {
+		glog.V(5).Infof("Restoring iptables rules: %s", proxier.iptablesData.Bytes())
+	}
+	err = proxier.iptables.RestoreAll(proxier.iptablesData.Bytes(), utiliptables.NoFlushTables, utiliptables.RestoreCounters)
 	if err != nil {
-		glog.Errorf("Failed to execute iptables-restore: %v\nRules:\n%s", err, lines)
+		glog.Errorf("Failed to execute iptables-restore: %v\nRules:\n%s", err, proxier.iptablesData.Bytes())
 		// Revert new local ports.
 		revertPorts(replacementPortsMap, proxier.portsMap)
 		return
@@ -1536,7 +1557,15 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) clearUDPConntrackForPort(port int) {
 
 // Join all words with spaces, terminate with newline and write to buf.
 func writeLine(buf *bytes.Buffer, words ...string) {
-	buf.WriteString(strings.Join(words, " ") + "\n")
+	// We avoid strings.Join for performance reasons.
+	for i := range words {
+		buf.WriteString(words[i])
+		if i < len(words)-1 {
+			buf.WriteByte(' ')
+		} else {
+			buf.WriteByte('\n')
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func isLocalIP(ip string) (bool, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
index b49b1929b8..aba2e3c827 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/iptables/proxier_test.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package iptables
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"reflect"
 	"strconv"
 	"testing"
@@ -394,6 +395,11 @@ func NewFakeProxier(ipt utiliptables.Interface) *Proxier {
 		portsMap:         make(map[localPort]closeable),
 		portMapper:       &fakePortOpener{[]*localPort{}},
 		healthChecker:    newFakeHealthChecker(),
+		iptablesData:     bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		filterChains:     bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		filterRules:      bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		natChains:        bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
+		natRules:         bytes.NewBuffer(nil),
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/util/exec/exec.go b/pkg/util/exec/exec.go
index 327ddf5bce..f43bfa7a17 100644
--- a/pkg/util/exec/exec.go
+++ b/pkg/util/exec/exec.go
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ type Interface interface {
 // As more functionality is needed, this can grow.  Since Cmd is a struct, we will have
 // to replace fields with get/set method pairs.
 type Cmd interface {
+	// Run runs the command to the completion.
+	Run() error
 	// CombinedOutput runs the command and returns its combined standard output
 	// and standard error.  This follows the pattern of package os/exec.
 	CombinedOutput() ([]byte, error)
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ type Cmd interface {
 	SetDir(dir string)
 	SetStdin(in io.Reader)
 	SetStdout(out io.Writer)
+	SetStderr(out io.Writer)
 	// Stops the command by sending SIGTERM. It is not guaranteed the
 	// process will stop before this function returns. If the process is not
 	// responding, an internal timer function will send a SIGKILL to force
@@ -99,6 +102,15 @@ func (cmd *cmdWrapper) SetStdout(out io.Writer) {
 	cmd.Stdout = out
 }
 
+func (cmd *cmdWrapper) SetStderr(out io.Writer) {
+	cmd.Stderr = out
+}
+
+// Run is part of the Cmd interface.
+func (cmd *cmdWrapper) Run() error {
+	return (*osexec.Cmd)(cmd).Run()
+}
+
 // CombinedOutput is part of the Cmd interface.
 func (cmd *cmdWrapper) CombinedOutput() ([]byte, error) {
 	out, err := (*osexec.Cmd)(cmd).CombinedOutput()
diff --git a/pkg/util/exec/fake_exec.go b/pkg/util/exec/fake_exec.go
index b87265099a..e3741dca42 100644
--- a/pkg/util/exec/fake_exec.go
+++ b/pkg/util/exec/fake_exec.go
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ type FakeCmd struct {
 	Dirs                 []string
 	Stdin                io.Reader
 	Stdout               io.Writer
+	Stderr               io.Writer
 }
 
 func InitFakeCmd(fake *FakeCmd, cmd string, args ...string) Cmd {
@@ -73,6 +74,14 @@ func (fake *FakeCmd) SetStdout(out io.Writer) {
 	fake.Stdout = out
 }
 
+func (fake *FakeCmd) SetStderr(out io.Writer) {
+	fake.Stderr = out
+}
+
+func (fake *FakeCmd) Run() error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("unimplemented")
+}
+
 func (fake *FakeCmd) CombinedOutput() ([]byte, error) {
 	if fake.CombinedOutputCalls > len(fake.CombinedOutputScript)-1 {
 		panic("ran out of CombinedOutput() actions")
diff --git a/pkg/util/iptables/iptables.go b/pkg/util/iptables/iptables.go
index 2d3c24dcac..57edf5f1e5 100644
--- a/pkg/util/iptables/iptables.go
+++ b/pkg/util/iptables/iptables.go
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ type Interface interface {
 	IsIpv6() bool
 	// Save calls `iptables-save` for table.
 	Save(table Table) ([]byte, error)
-	// SaveAll calls `iptables-save`.
-	SaveAll() ([]byte, error)
+	// SaveInto calls `iptables-save` for table and stores result in a given buffer.
+	SaveInto(table Table, buffer *bytes.Buffer) error
 	// Restore runs `iptables-restore` passing data through []byte.
 	// table is the Table to restore
 	// data should be formatted like the output of Save()
@@ -317,14 +317,23 @@ func (runner *runner) Save(table Table) ([]byte, error) {
 	return runner.exec.Command(cmdIPTablesSave, args...).CombinedOutput()
 }
 
-// SaveAll is part of Interface.
-func (runner *runner) SaveAll() ([]byte, error) {
+// SaveInto is part of Interface.
+func (runner *runner) SaveInto(table Table, buffer *bytes.Buffer) error {
 	runner.mu.Lock()
 	defer runner.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// run and return
-	glog.V(4).Infof("running iptables-save")
-	return runner.exec.Command(cmdIPTablesSave, []string{}...).CombinedOutput()
+	args := []string{"-t", string(table)}
+	glog.V(4).Infof("running iptables-save %v", args)
+	cmd := runner.exec.Command(cmdIPTablesSave, args...)
+	// Since CombinedOutput() doesn't support redirecting it to a buffer,
+	// we need to workaround it by redirecting stdout and stderr to buffer
+	// and explicitly calling Run() [CombinedOutput() underneath itself
+	// creates a new buffer, redirects stdout and stderr to it and also
+	// calls Run()].
+	cmd.SetStdout(buffer)
+	cmd.SetStderr(buffer)
+	return cmd.Run()
 }
 
 // Restore is part of Interface.
@@ -393,7 +402,7 @@ func (runner *runner) run(op operation, args []string) ([]byte, error) {
 
 	fullArgs := append(runner.waitFlag, string(op))
 	fullArgs = append(fullArgs, args...)
-	glog.V(4).Infof("running iptables %s %v", string(op), args)
+	glog.V(5).Infof("running iptables %s %v", string(op), args)
 	return runner.exec.Command(iptablesCmd, fullArgs...).CombinedOutput()
 	// Don't log err here - callers might not think it is an error.
 }
diff --git a/pkg/util/iptables/iptables_test.go b/pkg/util/iptables/iptables_test.go
index 5fb921d522..62b8416709 100644
--- a/pkg/util/iptables/iptables_test.go
+++ b/pkg/util/iptables/iptables_test.go
@@ -884,59 +884,6 @@ COMMIT
 	}
 }
 
-func TestSaveAll(t *testing.T) {
-	output := `# Generated by iptables-save v1.6.0 on Thu Jan 19 11:38:09 2017
-*filter
-:INPUT ACCEPT [15079:38410730]
-:FORWARD ACCEPT [0:0]
-:OUTPUT ACCEPT [11045:521562]
-COMMIT
-# Completed on Thu Jan 19 11:38:09 2017`
-
-	fcmd := exec.FakeCmd{
-		CombinedOutputScript: []exec.FakeCombinedOutputAction{
-			// iptables version check
-			func() ([]byte, error) { return []byte("iptables v1.9.22"), nil },
-			// iptables-restore version check
-			func() ([]byte, error) { return []byte("iptables-restore v1.9.22"), nil },
-			func() ([]byte, error) { return []byte(output), nil },
-			func() ([]byte, error) { return nil, &exec.FakeExitError{Status: 1} },
-		},
-	}
-	fexec := exec.FakeExec{
-		CommandScript: []exec.FakeCommandAction{
-			func(cmd string, args ...string) exec.Cmd { return exec.InitFakeCmd(&fcmd, cmd, args...) },
-			func(cmd string, args ...string) exec.Cmd { return exec.InitFakeCmd(&fcmd, cmd, args...) },
-			func(cmd string, args ...string) exec.Cmd { return exec.InitFakeCmd(&fcmd, cmd, args...) },
-			func(cmd string, args ...string) exec.Cmd { return exec.InitFakeCmd(&fcmd, cmd, args...) },
-		},
-	}
-	runner := New(&fexec, dbus.NewFake(nil, nil), ProtocolIpv4)
-	defer runner.Destroy()
-	// Success.
-	o, err := runner.SaveAll()
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("expected success, got %v", err)
-	}
-
-	if string(o[:len(output)]) != output {
-		t.Errorf("expected output to be equal to mocked one, got %v", o)
-	}
-
-	if fcmd.CombinedOutputCalls != 3 {
-		t.Errorf("expected 3 CombinedOutput() calls, got %d", fcmd.CombinedOutputCalls)
-	}
-	if !sets.NewString(fcmd.CombinedOutputLog[2]...).HasAll("iptables-save") {
-		t.Errorf("wrong CombinedOutput() log, got %s", fcmd.CombinedOutputLog[2])
-	}
-
-	// Failure.
-	_, err = runner.SaveAll()
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Errorf("expected failure")
-	}
-}
-
 func TestRestore(t *testing.T) {
 	fcmd := exec.FakeCmd{
 		CombinedOutputScript: []exec.FakeCombinedOutputAction{
diff --git a/pkg/util/iptables/testing/fake.go b/pkg/util/iptables/testing/fake.go
index 16cd90ba30..8d9ac7c070 100644
--- a/pkg/util/iptables/testing/fake.go
+++ b/pkg/util/iptables/testing/fake.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package testing
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -78,8 +79,9 @@ func (f *FakeIPTables) Save(table iptables.Table) ([]byte, error) {
 	return lines, nil
 }
 
-func (*FakeIPTables) SaveAll() ([]byte, error) {
-	return make([]byte, 0), nil
+func (f *FakeIPTables) SaveInto(table iptables.Table, buffer *bytes.Buffer) error {
+	buffer.Write(f.Lines)
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (*FakeIPTables) Restore(table iptables.Table, data []byte, flush iptables.FlushFlag, counters iptables.RestoreCountersFlag) error {