sysctl.conf

Description

sysctl.conf is a simple file containing sysctl values to be read in and set by sysctl. The syntax is simply as follows:

# comment
; comment

token = value

Note that blank lines are ignored, and whitespace before and after a token or value is ignored, although a value can contain whitespace within.  Lines which begin with a # or ; are considered comments and ignored.

Notes

As the /etc/sysctl.conf file is used to override default kernel parameter values, only a small number of parameters is predefined in the file. Use /sbin/sysctl -a or follow sysctl(8) to list all possible parameters. The description of individual parameters can be found in the kernel documentation.

Example

# sysctl.conf sample
#
  kernel.domainname = example.com
; this one has a space which will be written to the sysctl!
  kernel.modprobe = /sbin/mod probe

Files

/run/sysctl.d/*.conf

/etc/sysctl.d/*.conf

/usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf

/usr/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf

/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf

/etc/sysctl.conf

The paths where sysctl preload files usually exist.  See also sysctl option --system.

See Also

sysctl(8)

Author

George Staikos

Reporting Bugs

Please send bug reports to procps@freelists.org

Referenced By

sysctl(8), sysctl.d(5), ufw(8), ufw-framework(8).