---
name: "edsc"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/edsc"
---

# edsc(4)

Ethernet discard network interface

## NAME

**edsc** – Ethernet discard network interface

## SYNOPSIS

**device edsc**

## DESCRIPTION

The **edsc** interface is a software discard mechanism which may be used for performance analysis and software testing. It imitates an Ethernet device, which allows for its use in conjunction with such drivers as [if\_bridge(4)](/if_bridge/4.md) and [vlan(4)](/vlan/4.md).

As with other network interfaces, an **edsc** 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)](/ioctl/2.md) or [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md) utility.

Each **edsc** interface is created at runtime using interface cloning. This is most easily done with the [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md) **create** command or using the *cloned\_interfaces* variable in [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md).

## SEE ALSO

[ioctl(2)](/ioctl/2.md), [arp(4)](/arp/4.md), [if\_bridge(4)](/if_bridge/4.md), [inet(4)](/inet/4.md), [intro(4)](/intro/4.md), [vlan(4)](/vlan/4.md), [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md), [arp(8)](/arp/8.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **edsc** device was derived from the [disc(4)](/disc/4.md) device and first appeared in FreeBSD 6.3. This manpage was adapted from [disc(4)](/disc/4.md).

## CAVEATS

Since outgoing packets are just discarded by **edsc**, ARP requests stay unreplied. Consequently, an IP packet cannot be sent via **edsc** until a static [arp(4)](/arp/4.md) entry is created for its next hop using [arp(8)](/arp/8.md).

Initially an **edsc** interface has a zero link level address. It can be changed with [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md) **lladdr** if needed.