# request for clarification for the sysctl module behaviour

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244>\
**Category:** Ansible Project\
**Created:** [December 31, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244 "2013-12-31T15:47:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Walid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ea5d25/32.png) [@Walid](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Walid)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244/1 "2013-12-31T15:47:02Z")

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Hi,

a sysctl task today does not change the state if the sysctl file has the kernel configuration item set in RHEL6, e.g. kernel.watchdog disabled, however in /proc/sys/kernel/watchdog it is enabled?

- sysctl: name=kernel.watchdog value=0 state=present reload=yes

file /etc/sysctl.conf : kernel.watchdog=0  
while echo /proc/sys/kernel/watchdog reports back 1  
running the task reports OK, no change

is that because the sysctl module function is only to update the file, but not the system settings? or is that a bug? that if the file conflicts with the /proc it does not try to enforce any thing?

regards

Walid

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**Author:** ![Walid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ea5d25/32.png) [@Walid](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Walid)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 11:25am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244/2 "2014-01-01T11:25:50Z")

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Its a bug as the decision does not take into account if the change was not done via the sysctl.conf file

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**Author:** ![Michael\_DeHaan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Michael\_DeHaan2](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Michael_DeHaan2)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244/3 "2014-01-01T16:34:19Z")

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If you feel you have a bug, please report it on the github issue tracker.

There isn’t a bot that files bugs from mailing list posts, so this is the best way to make sure it is recorded, and that you also get updates if it is closed.

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**Author:** ![Walid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ea5d25/32.png) [@Walid](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Walid)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/request-for-clarification-for-the-sysctl-module-behaviour/14244/4 "2014-01-01T17:48:17Z")

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done, Issue **#5469**