diff --git a/src/common/protocol.h b/src/common/protocol.h
--- a/src/common/protocol.h
+++ b/src/common/protocol.h
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ database */
 struct distren_request
 {
   uint32_t magic;
+  /* the length of the data associated with the packet excluding the header */
   uint32_t len;
   /** treat type as an enum distren_request_type using casting */
   uint32_t /* enum distren_request_type */ type;
@@ -120,6 +121,8 @@ int distren_request_send(struct remoteio
 /**
  * initializes and allocates request based on raw input data
  * which includes the headers of the request.
+ *
+ * @return 0 on success, 1 on failure
  */
 int distren_request_new_fromdata(struct distren_request **req, void *data, size_t len);