---
name: "ifstated"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ifstated"
---

# ifstated(8)

Interface State daemon

## NAME

**ifstated** – Interface State daemon

## SYNOPSIS

**ifstated** \[**-dhinv**\] \[**-D** *macro*=*value*\] \[**-f** *file*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **ifstated** daemon runs commands in response to network state changes, which it determines by monitoring interface link state or running external tests. For example, it can be used with [carp(4)](/carp/4.md) to change running services or to ensure that [carp(4)](/carp/4.md) interfaces stay in sync, or with [pf(4)](/pf/4.md) to test server or link availability and modify translation or routing rules. The options are as follows:

- **-D** *macro*=*value*

  Define *macro* to be set to *value* on the command line. Overrides the definition of *macro* in the configuration file.

- **-d**

  Do not daemonize and log to *stdout*.

- **-f** *file*

  Specify an alternate location, *file*, for the configuration file.

- **-h**

  Print help message.

- **-i**

  Ignore initial interface states.

- **-n**

  Configtest mode. Check config validity, then exit.

- **-v**

  Verbose mode. Use twice to further increase verbosity.

Upon receiving SIGHUP, **ifstated** reloads the configuration file.

## FILES

- */etc/ifstated.conf*

  **ifstated** configuration file.

## SEE ALSO

[carp(4)](/carp/4.md), [pf(4)](/pf/4.md), [ifstated.conf(5)](/ifstated.conf/5.md)

## HISTORY

The **ifstated** program first appeared in OpenBSD 3.8.