What is Ethernet Adaptor (en5)?

Question

Level 1

31 points

What is Ethernet Adaptor (en5)?

I tried to connect my phone via Bluetooth, after ages of messing around it seemed to work and a new Network port was created called Bluetooh PAN, I tried to turn it on but it kept erroring out, I plugged in the iPhone via USB and then a new port was created, Ethernet Adaptor (en5), which is green and connected, what is it?

Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 26, 2009 5:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Synnott Author

Level 1

31 points

Jun 26, 2009 11:48 PM in response to Tom Synnott

Is there anyway of keeping the Internet Tethering setting turned on on my phone but to not automatically happen when I plug it into my iMac? It's happening all the time now, I only need it to happen on my laptop...

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 27, 2009 7:02 PM in response to 4n6doc

I got an iphone the other day, I was able to tether using bluetooth pan after installing Leopard. I would like to tether with the usb port, but "Ethernet Adaptor (en5) does not show up on my network settings. Why would this be? Would you know or anyone know if I need some kind of hardware or software??? Upgrade?

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 12, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Tom Synnott

I have a similar problem - BlueTooth tethering works fine but USB tethering doesn't work at all. I also have no Ethernet Adaptor (en5) in Network Preferences (I do have a Bluetooth PAN connection, though).

Can I create this en5 connection myself somehow? Or reset the tethering system to try to create it automatically?

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 12, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Tom Synnott

I think I fixed this for me.

- Open System Preferences->Network.
- Observe that there is no "Ethernet Adaptor (en3)" or "Ethernet Adaptor (en5)" in the column of network connections on the left.
- Click the + in the lower left.
- Select Interface: Ethernet Adaptor (en3) (or en5)
- Click "Create"
- Select the newly-created Ethernet Adaptor (en3) (or en5)
- Click "Assist me..."
- Click "Assistant"
- Type in a Location name - "iPhone" or whatever
- Click Continue
- Click "I connect to my local area network (LAN)".

At this point my Ethernet Adaptor (en3) lit up green and I was able to browse in Safari.

I then just clicked the red button in the upper left and killed the Network Assistant.

Now any time I connect my iPhone via the USB cable the Ethernet Adaptor (en3) goes green and I'm online.

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 15, 2009 7:38 AM in response to axelessbaum

I have the same problem, but your solution does not work. The reason: If i click "+" there is no way to select (en3) or (en5) - simply not in the popup list - only BT PAN, FiWi, en2 (no, it doesn't work when I choose it - says "cable not connected"), EN and BT.

Where do I get this connection from? Thanks for your help!

Reply

Answer 6

Jul 15, 2009 9:00 AM in response to Tom Synnott

Hmm, bummer. I never did anything to "get" en3 or en5 - it was just there as an option to select.

Do you get the error for en2 Cable Not Connected even when the phone is plugged in to the USB cable?

If so, I have no idea what else to suggest. Sorry 😟

Reply

Answer 7

Jul 21, 2009 10:24 AM in response to Tom Synnott

I just did a "software update" on my iTunes yesterday. I plugged my iPhone in my computer & voila! out pops the window saying the computer detected....... the Ethernet Adaptor (en5) showed up in my list of networks.

Thanks Apple! Much appreciated.
Finally got the solution - 2 weeks ago after spending probably a total of 8 hours on the phone with Apple & my Carrier.

Reply

Answer 8

4n6doc

Level 4

2,323 points

Jun 26, 2009 7:31 PM in response to Tom Synnott

That is the port your computer can use to access the internet when tethered to your iPhone via a USB cable.

Reply