---
name: "trpt"
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/trpt"
---

# trpt(8)

transliterate protocol trace

## NAME

**trpt** – transliterate protocol trace

## SYNOPSIS

**trpt** \[**-afjst**\] \[**-M** *core*\] \[**-N** *system*\] \[**-p** *hex-address*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**trpt** interrogates the buffer of TCP trace records created when a socket is marked for “debugging” (see [setsockopt(2)](/setsockopt/2.md)), and prints a readable description of these records. When no options are supplied, **trpt** prints all the trace records found in the system grouped according to TCP connection protocol control block (PCB).

The options are as follows:

- **-a**

  In addition to the normal output, print the values of the source and destination addresses for each packet recorded.

- **-f**

  Follow the trace as it occurs, waiting a short time for additional records each time the end of the log is reached.

- **-j**

  Just give a list of the protocol control block addresses for which there are trace records.

- **-M** *core*

  Extract values associated with the name list from *core* instead of the running kernel.

- **-N** *system*

  Extract the name list from *system* instead of the running kernel.

- **-p** *hex-address*

  Show only trace records associated with the protocol control block at the given address *hex-address*.

- **-s**

  In addition to the normal output, print a detailed description of the packet sequencing information.

- **-t**

  In addition to the normal output, print the values for all timers at each point in the trace.

The recommended use of **trpt** is as follows. Isolate the problem and enable debugging on the socket(s) involved in the connection. Find the address of the protocol control blocks associated with the sockets using the **-A** option to [netstat(1)](/netstat/1.md). Then run **trpt** with the **-p** option, supplying the associated protocol control block addresses. The **-f** option can be used to follow the trace log once the trace is located. If there are many sockets using the debugging option, the **-j** option may be useful in checking to see if any trace records are present for the socket in question.

**trpt** requires the ability to open */dev/kmem* which may be restricted based upon the value of the *kern.allowkmem* [sysctl(8)](/sysctl/8.md).

## DIAGNOSTICS

- **no** **namelist**

  When the system image doesn't contain the proper symbols to find the trace buffer; others which should be self explanatory.

## SEE ALSO

[netstat(1)](/netstat/1.md), [setsockopt(2)](/setsockopt/2.md)

## HISTORY

The **trpt** command appeared in 4.2BSD.

## BUGS

Should also print the data for each input or output, but this is not saved in the trace record.

The output format is inscrutable and should be described here.