Multiple softflowd instances ============================ The Debian packaging of softflowd supports handling of multiple instances. One instance is already shipped as `/etc/softflowd/default.conf`. To add more instances, create a file `/etc/softflowd/.conf` where `` should be constructed using the "Portable Filename Character Set"[1] and must not start with a dot (i.e. must not be a hidden file). The file is a POSIX shell fragment and defines two variables: * `interface`: The interface to listen on, or `all` Without an interface definition, the instance will be ignored. * `options`: Additional options to pass to softflowd. On systemd, the file is read as a key/value store, for details see `EnvironmentFile=` systemd.exec(5). On SysV init, the file is run as a shell script. The pidfile will be stored at `/run/softflowd/.pid`[2], do not attempt to override that. The control socket for softflowctl is at `/run/softflowd/.ctl`. You still may override these using the `-c` options in the `options=` string, last match wins. The softflowctl program will query the "default" instance by default. To add a new instance: Create an according configuration file first. On systemd, run `systemctl daemon-reload`, then `systemctl start softflowd@.service`. On SysV init, run `serivce softflowd start `. [1] Upper and lower case characters, digits, dot, underscore, dash. For pure visual reasons, the dash should be avoided on systemd as it's escaped in the service name. https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/basedefs/V1_chap03.html#tag_03_282 [2] On SysV init systems: `/var/run/softflowd/.pid`, likewise for the control socket.