PCAP\_SET\_TIMEOUT(3PCAP) PCAP\_SET\_TIMEOUT(3PCAP)

# [NAME](#NAME)

pcap\_set\_timeout - set the packet buffer timeout for a not-yet-activated capture handle

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

```
#include <pcap/pcap.h>
```

```
int pcap_set_timeout(pcap_t *p, int to_ms);
```

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

**pcap\_set\_timeout**() sets the packet buffer timeout that will be used on a capture handle when the handle is activated to *to\_ms*, which is in units of milliseconds. (See [**pcap**(3PCAP)](/man/os/libpcap/pcap.3PCAP) for an explanation of the packet buffer timeout.)

The behavior, if the timeout isn't specified, is undefined, as is the behavior if the timeout is set to zero or to a negative value. We recommend always setting the timeout to a non-zero value unless immediate mode is set, in which case the timeout has no effect.

# [RETURN VALUE](#RETURN_VALUE)

**pcap\_set\_timeout**() returns **0** on success or **PCAP\_ERROR\_ACTIVATED** if called on a capture handle that has been activated.

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[**pcap\_create**(3PCAP)](/man/os/libpcap/pcap_create.3PCAP), [**pcap\_activate**(3PCAP)](/man/os/libpcap/pcap_activate.3PCAP), [**pcap\_set\_immediate\_mode**(3PCAP)](/man/os/libpcap/pcap_set_immediate_mode.3PCAP)

6 December 2017

---

Document: pcap_set_timeout(3pcap) from libpcap 1.11.0-r0 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/the-tcpdump-group/libpcap.git