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LO(4)                   NetBSD Kernel Interfaces Manual                  LO(4)


NAME

     lo -- software loopback network interface


SYNOPSIS

     pseudo-device loop


DESCRIPTION

     The loop interface is a software loopback mechanism which may be used for
     performance analysis, software testing, and/or local communication.  As
     with other network interfaces, the loopback interface must have network
     addresses assigned for each address family with which it is to be used.
     These addresses may be set or changed with the SIOCSIFADDR ioctl(2).  The
     loopback interface should be the last interface configured, as protocols
     may use the order of configuration as an indication of priority.  The
     loopback should never be configured first unless no hardware interfaces
     exist.

     The loopback interface lo0 is created at boottime, it always exists and
     cannot be destroyed with ifconfig(8).  Additional loopback interfaces can
     be created by using the ifconfig(8) create command.


DIAGNOSTICS

     lo%d: can't handle af%d .  The interface was handed a message with
     addresses formatted in an unsuitable address family; the packet was
     dropped.


SEE ALSO

     inet(4), intro(4), ifconfig(8)


HISTORY

     The lo device appeared in 4.2BSD.


BUGS

     Previous versions of the system enabled the loopback interface automati-
     cally, using a nonstandard Internet address (127.1).  Use of that address
     is now discouraged; a reserved host address for the local network should
     be used instead.

NetBSD 6.1.1                   September 3, 2006                  NetBSD 6.1.1