Big Sur 11.4: loss of VLAN capability and ability to set MAC address with certain Ethernet devices

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Created Jun ’21

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Hi,

Since upgrading to Big Sur 11.4 I've noticed that I am no longer able to set the MAC address on a number of Ethernet devices, nor can I create VLANs on those devices. (Loss of VLAN capability has been reported on Macrumors and elsewhere, but I haven't found any mention of MAC address issues with 11.4.)

I'm using a Late 2013 Macbook Pro Retina 15", and I have a number of Thunderbolt docks and other Ethernet adaptors. The three Thunderbolt docks I've tried all use the Intel E1000 chip and the com.apple.DriverKit-AppleEthernetE1000.dext -- I'm unable to set the MAC address or create VLANs on any of these.

I also have one of the Apple Thunderbolt 2 Ethernet adaptors, which uses the AppleBCM5701Ethernet.kext driver. With that I'm able to set the MAC address and create VLANs.

I also have a USB3-to-Ethernet dongle that uses the Realtek 8152/8153 chipset, and the com.apple.DriverKit.AppleUserECM.dext driver. Bizarrely I can create VLANs with that, but not set the MAC address.

For completeness, I can set the MAC address on the Broadcom WiFi on the MBP, but can't create VLANs (and have never been able to, nor would I expect to be able to, of course.)

Are these known issues with Big Sur 11.4 and is there any plan to reintroduce support for creating VLANs and setting MAC addresses?

Thanks!

Martin

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jun ’21

This is more of a user-level issue than a developer-level issue. Normally I redirect such questions to Apple Support Communities, and thence on to Apple Support, but in this case the answers are pretty straightforward.

Are these known issues with Big Sur 11.4

I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter. If these issues are causing your grief you should file bugs them. Please post any bug numbers, just for the record.

If you need a workaround then you should escalate that via Apple Support.

and is there any plan to reintroduce support for creating VLANs and setting MAC addresses?

We can’t comment on The Future™.

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