IPenable

IPenable is a software component found in some network devices and operating systems that provides a programmatic mechanism to enable or disable IP processing on network interfaces. It manages the activation state of IP features such as address assignment, routing, and IP-level filtering, and acts as a bridge between higher-level configuration tools and the kernel network stack.

It offers a consistent API or command interface to enable IPv4 and IPv6 on a given interface, configure address assignment methods (static or DHCP), enable or disable routing and IP forwarding, and apply policy-driven controls such as access lists or firewall rules at the IP layer. By centralizing IP enablement, IPenable helps ensure that IP services are only active when allowed by security or operational policies.

Typical implementations run as a user-space daemon or service, exposing a local API (REST, DBus, or command-line) and translating requests into kernel changes via netlink, sysfs, or platform-specific interfaces. It maintains a state database of interfaces, IP addresses, and policy decisions and emits events when an interface's IP enablement state changes.

Because IPenable interacts with the kernel network stack and policy controls, it may be critical for security, reliability, and compliance. It is commonly used in embedded devices, data center appliances, and cloud networking platforms that require centralized IP management.

See also: IP networking, IPv4, IPv6, DHCP, routing, netlink, firewall.