Pf Configuration Incompatible With Pf Program Version Upd Instant

“pf configuration incompatible with pf program version”

1. Understanding the Error This error occurs on OpenBSD (or other systems using PF, like FreeBSD) when the current running PF kernel module (the “pf program version”) expects a certain syntax or feature set, but the configuration file ( /etc/pf.conf ) uses rules or options from a different PF version. Common causes:

You upgraded the OS but didn’t update the PF config syntax. You loaded a config written for a newer PF on an older kernel. You manually replaced pfctl or kernel without matching config.

2. Check Your Versions Run these commands to compare: # Running PF kernel version sysctl net.inet.pf.version pfctl userland version pfctl -V OS version (OpenBSD) sysctl kern.version OS version (FreeBSD) freebsd-version -kru pf configuration incompatible with pf program version

If pfctl -V shows a newer version than the kernel expects, the config syntax may have changed.

3. Common Syntax Changes by PF Version | PF Version | Notable change | |------------|----------------| | 4.5 → 4.6 | pass in quick vs pass in priority changes | | 4.7 → 4.8 | set limit { states, frags } split | | 5.5 → 5.6 | match rules introduced | | 6.0 → 6.1 | set reassemble yes/no replaces scrub | | 6.5 → 6.6 | set syncookies syntax changed | | 6.8 → 6.9 | af-to removed from rdr rules | | 7.0 → 7.1 | set state-policy if-bound removed | Check your PF version’s man page: man 5 pf.conf

Look for “HISTORY” or “CHANGES” section. You loaded a config written for a newer

4. How to Fix A. Temporary workaround (if you just need PF running) # Disable PF pfctl -d Clear all rules pfctl -F all Reload with current config (may still fail) pfctl -f /etc/pf.conf

B. Generate a compatible config from running rules # Save current active rules (compatible with running kernel) pfctl -sr > /etc/pf.current.rules Test load pfctl -f /etc/pf.current.rules

C. Upgrade PF kernel + userland together On OpenBSD (recommended approach): # Upgrade to latest -stable or -release sysupgrade # Then reboot and update pf.conf syntax based on release notes Check Your Versions Run these commands to compare:

On FreeBSD: # Rebuild kernel + world cd /usr/src make buildworld buildkernel make installkernel reboot make installworld

D. Manually edit pf.conf to match kernel version