maxfwd Module

Bogdan-Andrei Iancu

Edited by

Bogdan-Andrei Iancu


Table of Contents
1. User's Guide
1.1. Overview
1.2. Dependencies
1.2.1. OpenSER Modules
1.2.2. External Libraries or Applications
1.3. Exported Parameters
1.3.1. max_limit (integer)
1.4. Exported Functions
1.4.1. mf_process_maxfwd_header(max_value)
1.4.2. is_maxfwd_lt(max_value)
2. Developer's Guide
3. Frequently Asked Questions
List of Examples
1-1. Set max_limit parameter
1-2. mx_process_maxfwd_header usage
1-3. is_maxfwd_lt usage

Chapter 1. User's Guide

1.1. Overview

The module implements all the operations regarding MaX-Forward header field, like adding it (if not present) or decrementing and checking the value of the existent one.


1.2. Dependencies

1.2.1. OpenSER Modules

The following modules must be loaded before this module:

  • No dependencies on other OpenSER modules.


1.2.2. External Libraries or Applications

The following libraries or applications must be installed before running OpenSER with this module loaded:

  • None.


1.3. Exported Parameters

1.3.1. max_limit (integer)

Set an upper limit for the max-forward value in the outgoing requests. If the header is present, the decremented value is not allowed to exceed this max_limits - if it does, the header value will by decreased to "max_limit".

Note: This check is done when calling the mf_process_maxfwd_header() header.

The range of values stretches from 1 to 256, which is the maximum MAX-FORWARDS value allowed by RFC 3261.

Default value is "256".

Example 1-1. Set max_limit parameter

...
modparam("maxfwd", "max_limit", 32)
...

1.4. Exported Functions

1.4.1. mf_process_maxfwd_header(max_value)

If no Max-Forward header is present in the received request, a header will be added having the original value equal with "max_value". If a Max-Forward header is already present, its value will be decremented (if not 0).

Retuning codes:

  • 2 (true) - header was not found and a new header was succesfully added.

  • 1 (true) - header was found and its value was successfully decremented (had a non-0 value).

  • -1 (false) - the header was found and its value is 0 (cannot be decremented).

  • -2 (false) - error during processing.

The return code may be extensivly tested via script variable "retcode" (or "$?").

Meaning of the parameters is as follows:

  • max_value - Value to be added if there is no Max-Forwards header field in the message.

This function can be used from REQUEST_ROUTE.

Example 1-2. mx_process_maxfwd_header usage

...
# initial sanity checks -- messages with
# max_forwards==0, or excessively long requests
if (!mf_process_maxfwd_header("10") && retcode==-1) {
	sl_send_reply("483","Too Many Hops");
	exit;
};
...

1.4.2. is_maxfwd_lt(max_value)

Checks if the Max-Forward header value is less then the "max_value" parameter value. It considers also the value of the new inserted header (if locally added).

Retuning codes:

  • 1 (true) - header was found or set and its value is stricly less than "max_value".

  • -1 (false) - the header was found or set and its value is greater or equal to "max_value".

  • -2 (false) - header was not found or not set.

  • -3 (false) - error during processing.

The return code may be extensivly tested via script variable "retcode" (or "$?").

Meaning of the parameters is as follows:

  • max_value - value to check the Max-Forward.value against (as less than).

Example 1-3. is_maxfwd_lt usage

...
# next hope is a gateway, so make no sens to
# forward if MF is 0 (after decrement)
if ( is_maxfwd_lt("1") ) {
	sl_send_reply("483","Too Many Hops");
	exit;
};
...

Chapter 2. Developer's Guide

The module does not provide any API to use in other OpenSER modules.


Chapter 3. Frequently Asked Questions

3.1. Where can I find more about OpenSER?
3.2. Where can I post a question about this module?
3.3. How can I report a bug?

3.1. Where can I find more about OpenSER?

3.2. Where can I post a question about this module?

First at all check if your question was already answered on one of our mailing lists:

E-mails regarding any stable OpenSER release should be sent to and e-mails regarding development versions should be sent to .

If you want to keep the mail private, send it to .

3.3. How can I report a bug?

Please follow the guidelines provided at: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=139143.