---
name: "xenwatchdogd"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "xen-utils-common"
version: "4.20.3+127-gc42374a105-0+deb13u1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xenwatchdogd"
---

# xenwatchdogd(8)

Xen hypercall based watchdog daemon

## NAME

xenwatchdogd - Xen hypercall based watchdog daemon

## SYNOPSIS

**xenwatchdogd** \[ *OPTIONS* \] \<*TIMEOUT*\> \[ \<*SLEEP*\> \]

## DESCRIPTION

**xenwatchdogd** arms the Xen watchdog timer to *TIMEOUT* every *SLEEP* seconds. If the xenwatchdogd process dies or is delayed for more than *TIMEOUT* seconds, then Xen will take the **on\_watchdog** action specified in the domain configuration (see [**xl.cfg**(5)](/xl.cfg/5.md)). If **xenwatchdogd** is running in dom0, the whole system will reboot.

## OPTIONS

- **-h**, **--help**

  Display a help message.

- **-F**, **--foreground**

  Run in the foreground. The default behaviour is to daemonize.

- **-x**, **--safe-exit**

  Disable watchdog on orderly exit. The default behaviour is to arm the watchdog to 300 seconds to allow time for the domain to shutdown.  See  also the **SIGNALS** section.

- **timeout**

  The number of seconds to arm the Xen watchdog timer. This must be set to a minimum of two.

- **sleep**

  The number of seconds to sleep in between calls to arm the Xen watchdog timer. This must be at least one second, and less than the *timeout* value. If not specified, it defaults to half the *timeout* value.

## SIGNALS

**SIGUSR1** Will cause the program to disarm the watchdog timer and exit, regardless of whether the **--safe-exit** option was passed.

## AUTHOR

Citrix Ltd and other contributors.