---
name: "genl"
section: "1"
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/genl"
---

# genl(1)

generic netlink

## NAME

**genl** – generic netlink

## SYNOPSIS

**genl**

**genl** **list**

**genl** **monitor** ⟨family⟩ \[multicast group\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **genl** utility provides user access to generic netlink protocols.

The following commands are available:

- **list** (default)

  Lists all available generic netlink protocols, and presents its details:

  - operations

    Id of the operation if any and associated capabilities

  - multicast groups

    Id of the available multicast group if any and it associated name

- **monitor** ⟨family⟩ \[multicast group\]

  Connect to the *family* protocol and subscribe to the *multicast* *group* then print the received messages in a readable format if the protocol is known. So far only "nlctrl" and "nlsysevent" are known. If no *multicast* *group* are provided then all the groups are subscribed to.

## SEE ALSO

[genetlink(4)](/genetlink/4.md), [netlink(4)](/netlink/4.md)