The Linux kernel also has the following sysctl tunables which affect the behavior of sockets in TIME_WAIT (or more accurately, the kernel’s willingness to reuse them):
net.ipv4.tcp_tw_reuse
net.ipv4.tcp_tw_recycle (apparently removed in Linux 4.12+)
I have used the former without issue, but my understanding is they are best avoided as e.g., stateful packet filers will be confused.
It’s briefly mentioned in the article, but be very wary of the number of sockets in TIME_WAIT state. It’s bitten me more than I’d like admit.
FreeBSD has a tunable for “no local time wait”
The Linux kernel also has the following sysctl tunables which affect the behavior of sockets in TIME_WAIT (or more accurately, the kernel’s willingness to reuse them):
I have used the former without issue, but my understanding is they are best avoided as e.g., stateful packet filers will be confused.