[Bug 281811] carp documentation suggests /32 netmask, but man-page suggests same as host-interface

From: <bugzilla-noreply_at_freebsd.org>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:53:59 UTC
https://bugs.freebsd.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=281811

pprocacci@gmail.com changed:

           What    |Removed                     |Added
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 CC|                            |pprocacci@gmail.com

--- Comment #1 from pprocacci@gmail.com ---
I just submitted the same report without noticing this one first.
Mine is https://bugs.freebsd.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=288982
I'll ask for mine to be closed.

carp(4) shows VIPs being added to interfaces w/ a mask of /24.

The online documentation shows them as /32's.
(https://docs-archive.freebsd.org/doc/14.3-RELEASE/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/handbook/advanced-networking/index.html#carp)


Earlier documentation made the distinction for both cases:
https://docs-archive.freebsd.org/doc/13.0-RELEASE/usr/local/share/doc/freebsd/en/books/handbook/carp.html

What the heck is correct here?
Is there a case for both scenarios?
These scenarios should be detailed.

For the record, I was using /32's without issue, but in my latest build started
using whatever mask was associated with the network as per carp(4).  Since
doing so, the BACKUP carp instance has been sourcing from the VIP which is
causing all sorts of trouble; the main one being return packets aren't returned
to me and instead being returned to the PRIMARY.  This is expected as I'm
considered a BACKUP.  The unexpected part is that it's sourcing from the VIP to
start off with.  

I'd wager this is a documentation error in carp(4), but without knowing the
cases with anything other than a /32 is needed I can't say that for sure.

-- 
You are receiving this mail because:
You are on the CC list for the bug.