niffconfig(8)niffconfig(8)NAMEniffconfig - Configuration program for the Network Interface Failure
Finder (NIFF)
SYNOPSIS
/usr/sbin/niffconfig [-a] [-m] [-r] [-s] [-u] [-v] [-d dt] [-o t2] [-t
t1] [interface1 interface2...]
OPTIONS
Adds an interface or interfaces, specified by the interface parameter.
You cannot specify the -a option with the -m, -s, -r, or -u options.
Specifies the time period, in seconds, that the traffic monitor thread
uses between reads of the interface counters when it suspects there is
a connectivity problem. This number must be smaller than the number
given for t1 (see the -t option). The default time period is 5 seconds.
If dt is not specified, niffconfig uses the default. Specifies the
total number of traffic-free seconds that must elapse before the traf‐
fic monitor thread determines that a network interface has failed.
This number must be at least the sum of the t1 and two times dt. That
is, given the default time period for dt (5 seconds) and t1 (20 sec‐
onds), the t2 value must be at least 30 seconds. The default time
period for t2 is 60 seconds. If t2 is not specified, niffconfig uses
the default. Modifies the timing parameters of an interface that is
already being monitored. Typically, this option is specified along with
one or more of -t t1, -d dt, or -o t2 options. If any of these parame‐
ters are not specified, their default value is used. You cannot specify
the -m option with the -a, -s, -r, -u, or -v options. Stops monitoring
the specified interface. Obtains the status of the specified inter‐
face. Specifies the time period, in seconds, that the traffic monitor
thread delays between reads of the interface counters when the network
is running normally. The default time period is 20 seconds. If t1 is
not specified, niffconfig uses the default. Displays the status of all
interfaces currently being monitored to standard out (stdout). Dis‐
plays the status, timer values, and description (verbose mode) of all
interfaces currently being monitored to standard out (stdout). See
nifftmt(7) for a definition of each of the parameters.
DESCRIPTION
The niffconfig command arranges for one or more network interfaces to
be monitored for possible loss of connectivity. Timing parameters that
govern how quickly an interface can be declared suspect or dead may be
manipulated with this command. You can specify multiple interfaces,
separated by a space, on the command line. Note, you must be superuser
to use the niffconfig command.
Except for the -u and -v options, all niffconfig options require one or
more network interfaces to be specified.
You can specify the t1, dt, and t2 timer values as decimal values (for
example, 2.6 or 0.8). When setting timer values with the -a or -m
options, all 3 timer values (t1, dt, and t2) are validated as described
in nifftmt(7). If the validation fails, the operation is cancelled and
a message is printed to stdout.
NetRAIN initiates its own internal interface monitoring (using NIFF)
when a NetRAIN set is created. NetRAIN monitored interfaces are visible
only with the -v option. You cannot use niffconfig to perform any other
management operations on the NetRAIN interfaces. To modify the timer
values for NetRAIN monitored interfaces, use the ifconfig command.
You can start additional monitoring of an interface that is already
being monitored internally for NetRAIN. In that case, the niffconfig-v
command will display the two different monitoring structures for the
interface. All other niffconfig options will operate only on the non-
NetRAIN monitoring structure.
RESTRICTIONS
You cannot add a reserved interface (RESERVED flag is set) to the list
of monitored interfaces.
EXAMPLES
To add the tu0 and tu1 interfaces to the list of monitored interfaces,
enter: # niffconfig-a tu0 tu1 To change the time it takes to declare
failure on the tu1 interface to 90 seconds, enter: # niffconfig-o 90
tu1 To display the status of all interfaces that are being monitored,
enter: # niffconfig-u To stop monitoring the tu0 interface, enter: #
niffconfig-r tu0 To display all parameters for all interfaces that are
being monitored, including NetRAIN interface monitoring, enter: # niff‐
config -v
SEE ALSO
Daemons: niffd(8)
Information: EVM(5), nifftmt(7)niffconfig(8)