What is the equivalent of 127.255.255.255 for OS/X machines so I can test broadcast udp packets without a network?

Question

I am trying to test my program that makes use of broadcast UDP (not multicast!). In Linux, I can use the 127.255.255.255:64651 address and everything works beautifully, in other words, I send a packet to 127.255.255.255:64651 and multiple clients listening on that port get the packet. A real broadcast example!

Unfortunately on my OS/X machine (Mountain Lion) the same example does not work.

Is there any way I can get 127.255.255.255 to work on mac machines? Any other solution to get broadcast working on my mac machine without a network?

Note: It has to be broadcast, not multicast.

Giacomo1968 · Answer 1 · 2013-11-10T03:32:23.033

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Instead of 127.255.255.255, on Mac OS X try using 224.255.255.255 as an alternative.

edited Nov 10 '13 at 03:32

answered Nov 10 '13 at 02:05

Giacomo1968

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224.255.255.255 does not work. I found the right one, but since this is off-topic according to the moderators, I won't bother saying it. Nobody cares anyways! – JohnPristine Nov 11 '13 at 03:11
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JohnPristine, it is sad that you haven't posted the answer. Now I have to do my own quest :( – Stanislav Pankevich Aug 22 '18 at 14:49

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 10 '13 at 03:26

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127.255.255.255 should not work. Strange!

Use your network broadcast address, that's what it's for.

For instance, if your network is 192.168.10.0/24, your broadcast address is 192.168.10.255.

answered Nov 10 '13 at 03:26

MikeyB

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Thanks for the help, Mikey, but as I said I do not have a network to get this address from. The machine is offline. :) – JohnPristine Nov 10 '13 at 03:49
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Add a fake interface or add an IP to your loopback interface. – MikeyB Nov 10 '13 at 03:56

What is the equivalent of 127.255.255.255 for OS/X machines so I can test broadcast udp packets without a network?

2 Answers2