pfconfig(8) System Manager's Manual pfconfig(8)
NAME
pfconfig - Configure packet filter parameters
SYNOPSIS
/usr/sbin/pfconfig [+/-p[romisc]] [+/-c[opyall]] [-b[acklog] nnn] [-a[ll]] [interface-name...]
DESCRIPTION
The pfconfig command allows the system manager to configure certain parameters of the packet filter driver (see packetfilter(7)). These
parameters are configured separately for each interface; the interfaces are specified by name on the command line (for example, ln0, and
ni1). If more than one interface is specified, they are all given the same settings. Alternatively, you can specify -all to configure all
the packet-filter interfaces on the system.
You can set the following parameters with pfconfig: Allows packet filter users to set the interface into promiscuous mode (receives all
packets). Whenever there is at least one packet filter descriptor open with the ENPROMISC mode bit set, the interface is put into promis-
cuous mode. When no such descriptors are in use, the interface is returned to normal mode. The interface is no longer put into promiscu-
ous mode on behalf of packet filter users; if the interface is in promiscuous mode when this command is given, it is returned to normal
mode. (The superuser may use ifconfig(8) to control promiscuous mode, overriding the mode set by non-superusers. This is the default set-
ting.) Allows packet filter users to set the interface into copy-all mode (receives packets sent/received by the kernel-resident protocol
software [for example, IP, ARP, DECnet, LAT] on this host). Whenever there is at least one packet filter descriptor open with the ENCOPYALL
mode bit set, the interface is put into copy-all mode. When no such descriptors are in use, the interface is returned to normal mode. The
interface is no longer put into copy-all mode on behalf of packet filter users; if the interface is in copy-all mode when this command is
given, it is returned to normal mode. (The superuser may use ifconfig(8) to control copy-all mode, overriding the mode set by non-supe-
rusers. This is the default setting.) Sets the maximum backlog (packet filter input queue length) for non-superuser descriptors to the
specified number. When a descriptor is opened, it is given a queue length limit of two. An application can increase this backlog using the
EIOCSETW ioctl request. Superusers are allowed to increase their backlog up to a system-wide maximum; non-superusers are allowed to
increase their backlog only up to the maximum set by this program. Note that allowing too large a backlog may result in vast amounts of
kernel memory being tied up in the packet filter driver queues.
If no configuration parameters are specified, the pfconfig command displays the current packet filter configuration for the network
interfaces.
Only the superuser may use this command to change the configuration.
DIAGNOSTICS
PACKETFILTER option is not built into the running kernel
Explanation:
Packetfilter support is not built into the kernel. Reconfigure the kernel with the packetfilter option.
pfopen: xxx: No such device
Explanation:
The specified network device does not exist on the system, or no pfilt minor devices exist in the /dev/pf directory.
pfconfig: your system may not be properly configured; see "man packetfilter"
Explanation:
No pfilt minor devices exist in the /dev/pf directory.
pfconfig: either network interface 'xxx' is down, or your system may not be properly configured; see "man packfilter"
Explanation:
The specified network device is not up and running.
pfconfig: either all of your network interfaces are down, or your system may not be properly configured; see "man packfilter"
Explanation:
No network devices are up and running.
SEE ALSO
Commands: intro(1), netstat(1), pfstat(1), ifconfig(8)
Files: inet.local(4), bpf(7), packetfilter(7)
pfconfig(8)