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lo(7)


NAME

  lo - Software loopback network interface


SYNOPSIS

       pseudo-device loop


DESCRIPTION

  The loopback interface is a software loopback mechanism which is used for
  performance analysis, software testing, and/or local communication. As with
  other network interfaces, the loopback interface must have network
  addresses assigned for each address family with which it is to be used.
  These addresses may be set or changed with the SIOCSIFADDR ioctl. The
  loopback interface should be the last interface configured, as protocols
  may use the order of configuration as an indication of priority. The
  loopback should never be configured first unless no hardware interfaces
  exist.


NOTES

  Previous versions of the UNIX system enabled the loopback interface
  automatically, using a nonstandard Internet address (127.1). Use of that
  address is now discouraged; a reserved host address for the local network
  should be used instead.


ERRORS

  lon: can't handle afn
      The interface was handed a message with addresses formatted in an
      unsuitable address family; the packet was dropped.


SEE ALSO

  Networking: inet(7), netintro(7)

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