---
name: "ospfctl"
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/ospfctl"
---

# ospfctl(8)

control the OSPF routing daemon

## NAME

**ospfctl** – control the OSPF routing daemon

## SYNOPSIS

**ospfctl** \[**-s** *socket*\] *command* \[*argument* *...*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **ospfctl** program controls the [ospfd(8)](/ospfd/8.md) daemon. Commands may be abbreviated to the minimum unambiguous prefix; for example, **s** **s** for **show** **summary**.

The following options are available:

- **-s** *socket*

  Use *socket* instead of the default */var/run/ospfd.sock* to communicate with [ospfd(8)](/ospfd/8.md).

The following commands are available:

- **fib** **couple**

  Insert the learned routes into the Forwarding Information Base a.k.a. the kernel routing table.

- **fib** **decouple**

  Remove the learned routes from the Forwarding Information Base a.k.a. the kernel routing table. Decoupling the FIB from an OSPF router may create routing loops and could cause major routing issues in the complete OSPF cloud. Only routers with just one link to the OSPF cloud can safely decouple the FIB.

- **fib** **reload**

  Refetches and relearns the routes in the Forwarding Information Base a.k.a. the kernel routing table.

- **log** **brief**

  Disable verbose debug logging.

- **log** **verbose**

  Enable verbose debug logging.

- **reload**

  Reload the configuration file.

- **show** **database** \[*filter*\]

  Show the link state database. *filter* can be any one of the following:

  - **area** *ID*

    Show only LSAs from the specified area *ID*.

  - **asbr**

    Show only ASBR LSAs.

  - **external**

    Show only AS-External LSAs.

  - **network**

    Show only Network LSAs.

  - **router**

    Show only Router LSAs.

  - **self-originated**

    Show only self-originated LSAs.

  - **summary**

    Show only Summary LSAs.

- **show** **fib** \[*destination* \| *filter*\]

  Show the Forwarding Information Base. *destination* can be specified to show the route matching a destination IP address. *filter* can be any of the following:

  - **connected**

    Show only connected routes.

  - **interface** \[*interface*\]

    Show only interfaces or the specified *interface*.

  - **ospf**

    Show only OSPF routes.

  - **static**

    Show only static routes.

    **connected**, **ospf** and **static** may be specified together.

- **show** **interfaces** \[*interface*\]

  Show details for all interfaces or the specified *interface*.

- **show** **neighbor** \[**detail**\]

  Show neighbors. **detail** can be specified for additional detail.

- **show** **rib** \[**detail**\]

  Show the Routing Information Base. **detail** can be specified for additional detail.

- **show** **summary**

  Show summary information.

## FILES

- */var/run/ospfd.sock*

  UNIX-domain socket used for communication with [ospfd(8)](/ospfd/8.md).

## SEE ALSO

[route(4)](/route/4.md), [ospf6d.conf(5)](/ospf6d.conf/5.md), [ospfd.conf(5)](/ospfd.conf/5.md), [bgpd(8)](/bgpd/8.md), [ospf6ctl(8)](/ospf6ctl/8.md), [ospf6d(8)](/ospf6d/8.md), [ospfd(8)](/ospfd/8.md), [route(8)](/route/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **ospfctl** program first appeared in OpenBSD 3.7.