---
name: "bfstate"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lam-runtime"
version: "6.3.2-3"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bfstate"
---

# bfstate(1)

Report status of LAM buffers.

## NAME

bfstate - Report status of LAM buffers.

## SYNTAX

bfstate \[-ghlp\] \[-B \<#msgs\>\] \<node(s)\>

## OPTIONS

- **-g**

  Include information on system messages.

- **-h**

  Print the command help menu.

- **-l**

  Print buffer levels and limits.

- **-p**

  Display individual packet information.

- **-B \<#msgs\>**

  Limit the number of messages reported.

## DESCRIPTION

Most MPI users will probably not need to use the *bfstate* command; see [mpimsg(1)](/mpimsg/1.md).

The *bfstate* command displays information on LAM network message buffers on any node in the multicomputer. For each message, *bfstate* outputs the following information:

- NODE

  node containing the message

- DEST

  destination node of the message

- EVENT

  message event (see [nsend(2)](/nsend/2.md))

- TYPE

  message type

- LENGTH

  message length in bytes

The *-l* option prints the following summary on each node's buffer system, after all messages for that node have been displayed.

- \-

  maximum size of the internal buffer pool

- \-

  amount of space currently used in the pool.

Individual message buffers hold network message packets, which may be only part of a complete user message. Normally, *bfstate* summarizes packets into complete messages. If all packets for a message are not on the same node, no information is displayed. The *-p* option disables this behaviour and one line on information is displayed for each packet. The *-B* option changes the maximum number of packet buffers acquired (and hence displayable) from the node.

## EXAMPLES

- bfstate n12-14

  Display the status of all network message buffers on nodes 12 through 14.

## DIAGNOSTICS

If no buffered messages are found, only the title line is displayed and information from the *-l* option, if present.

## SEE ALSO

[bfctl(1)](/bfctl/1.md), [mpimsg(1)](/mpimsg/1.md)