---
name: "remote"
section: "5"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/remote"
---

# remote(5)

remote host description file

## NAME

**remote** – remote host description file

## DESCRIPTION

The **remote** file describes remote hosts known by [cu(1)](/cu/1.md). It is an ASCII file structured somewhat like the [termcap(5)](/termcap/5.md) file. Each line in the file provides a description for a single remote host. Fields are separated by a colon (‘:’). Lines ending with a ‘\\’ character immediately followed by a newline are continued on the next line.

The first entry is the name(s) of the host system. If there is more than one name for a system, the names are separated by vertical bars (‘\|’). After the name of the system comes the fields of the description (the capabilities).

Capabilities are either strings (str), numbers (num), or boolean flags (bool). A string capability is specified by *capability**=**value*; for example, ‘dv=/dev/harris’. A numeric capability is specified by *capability**#**value*; for example, ‘br#19200’. A boolean capability is specified by simply listing the capability.

- **br**

  (num) The baud rate used in establishing a connection to the remote host. This is a decimal number. The default baud rate is 9600 baud.

- **dc**

  (bool) This host is directly connected, and [cu(1)](/cu/1.md) should not expect carrier detect to be high, nor should it exit if carrier detect drops.

- **dv**

  (str) Device to open to establish a connection. If this file refers to a terminal line, [cu(1)](/cu/1.md) attempts to perform an exclusive open on the device to ensure only one user at a time has access to the port.

## FILES

- */etc/remote*

  Global database.

- */etc/examples/remote*

  Example database.

## SEE ALSO

[cu(1)](/cu/1.md)

## HISTORY

The **remote** file format appeared in 4.2BSD.