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Level 1

10 points

Odd console messages when ethernet cable is NOT connected

Summary: 3 Symptoms, all recurs simultaneously every minute or so when an ethernet cable is NOT connected:
1) Console: *"Firewall krb5kdc is listening"*...
2) HardwareGrowler *"Ethernet Deactivated Interface: en0"*
3) Network Preference Panel: Ethernet panel flickers. The Status changes from *"Cable Unplugged"* to *"Unknown State"* and then back to *"Cable Unplugged"* in less than a second.

I just bought a new 17" MacBook Pro (2010) to replace my old white MacBook that was running Snow Leopard. I used the migration assistant to transfer everything on the first bootup.

I use Growl and HardwareGrowl, which basically just alerts me to system changes such as mounting drives, connected and disconnected to networks, etc. I noticed that almost every minute I would see two identical consecutive Growl notifications pop up: *"Ethernet Deactivated Interface: en0"*.

Also, at the same exact time as the Growl notification this would print in the Console Log:
-----
4/20/10 11:35:24 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:35:24 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6

Then Oddly enough, if I leave the Network Preference Pane open, I can see the ethernet status go from its normal *"Cable Unplugged"* to *"Unknown State"* then in a fraction of a second, back to *"Cable Unplugged"*.

Weird, right!

The messages will stop if I insert a network cable into the MacBook Pro. The messages appear regardless of whether Airport is on. The messages even appear when there is no network cable and Airport is disabled.

I never saw this behavior on my old Macbook.

I went ahead and uninstalled Growl and a few other apps that mess with the networking (such as VMWare). I also created a 'virgin' test account. I am still having these entries show up in the log.

*I'm concerned that this may be a hardware issue. Does anyone have idea what may be going on?*

Sample log output:
------------------
4/20/10 11:36:35 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:36:35 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:37:46 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:37:46 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:38:56 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:38:56 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:40:07 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:40:07 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:41:18 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from :::88 proto=6
4/20/10 11:41:18 PM Firewall[44305] krb5kdc is listening from 0.0.0.0:88 proto=6

Activity Monitor:
-----------------
Active Memory: 533.2 MB
Free Memory: 2.40 GB
Wired Memory: 738.8 MB
Used Memory: 1.47 GB
Inactive Memory: 235.6 MB
Total VM: 141.14 GB
Number of processes: 54

PID Process Name User CPU Real Mem Virtual Mem
0 kernel_task root 11.1 141.9 MB 2.31 GB
1 launchd root 0.4 1.3 MB 2.36 GB
10 kextd root 0.6 3.3 MB 2.35 GB
11 DirectoryService root 0.0 5.1 MB 2.36 GB
12 notifyd root 0.0 640 KB 2.35 GB
13 diskarbitrationd root 0.0 1.7 MB 2.35 GB
14 configd root 0.0 3.4 MB 2.38 GB
15 syslogd root 0.0 752 KB 2.36 GB
16 blued root 0.0 4.8 MB 2.37 GB
17 distnoted daemon 0.0 1.4 MB 2.35 GB
20 mDNSResponder _mdnsrespo 0.0 2.0 MB 2.36 GB
23 coreservicesd root 0.1 29.5 MB 2.40 GB
26 securityd root 0.0 3.0 MB 2.36 GB
33 ntpd root 0.0 1.1 MB 2.32 GB
34 krb5kdc root 0.0 2.0 MB 2.34 GB
35 cron root 0.0 900 KB 2.32 GB
37 usbmuxd _usbmuxd 0.0 1.2 MB 608.1 MB
38 SystemStarter root 0.0 1.0 MB 2.34 GB
42 RFBRegisterMDNS root 0.0 1.7 MB 2.33 GB
44 mds root 0.0 70.2 MB 2.91 GB
45 loginwindow test 0.0 8.3 MB 2.65 GB
46 KernelEventAgent root 0.0 1.0 MB 2.34 GB
48 hidd root 0.0 1.5 MB 2.34 GB
49 fseventsd root 0.0 2.3 MB 2.36 GB
51 dynamic_pager root 0.0 796 KB 2.32 GB
57 autofsd root 0.0 1,008 KB 2.33 GB
65 socketfilterfw root 0.0 3.8 MB 2.36 GB
67 WindowServer _windowser 3.8 48.9 MB 2.99 GB
80 cvmsServ root 0.0 844 KB 2.33 GB
95 coreaudiod _coreaudio 0.0 1.8 MB 2.35 GB
115 launchd test 0.0 1.4 MB 2.36 GB
119 Dock test 0.0 28.7 MB 2.67 GB
120 SystemUIServer test 0.0 23.9 MB 2.73 GB
121 Finder test 0.0 13.6 MB 2.66 GB
126 pboard test 0.0 852 KB 2.32 GB
138 fontd test 0.0 4.6 MB 2.40 GB
142 UserEventAgent test 0.0 5.9 MB 2.37 GB
144 AppleVNCServer test 0.0 3.8 MB 2.60 GB
149 SIMBL Agent test 0.0 6.6 MB 10.67 GB
150 PenTabletDriver test 1.6 7.9 MB 2.66 GB
153 LMILaunchAgentFixer test 0.0 2.0 MB 630.7 MB
158 CCacheServer test 0.0 1.7 MB 2.35 GB
163 ConsumerTouchDriver test 0.3 6.7 MB 2.64 GB
165 TabletDriver test 0.0 5.3 MB 2.63 GB
192 Activity Monitor test 9.0 24.8 MB 2.74 GB
194 cvmsComp x8664 test 0.0 6.4 MB 2.34 GB
195 activitymonitord root 0.5 1.2 MB 2.33 GB
197 Console test 0.1 21.1 MB 2.69 GB
206 mdworker Patrick 0.0 6.0 MB 2.37 GB
208 mdworker test 0.0 9.6 MB 2.37 GB
218 DashboardClient test 0.0 21.1 MB 4.68 GB
234 Safari test 0.0 162.6 MB 5.02 GB
237 ocspd root 0.0 1.9 MB 2.37 GB
238 WebKitPluginAgent test 0.0 1,016 KB 2.35 GB

Message was edited by: bearboykahlo

Macbook Pro 2.53GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Apr 20, 2010 10:50 PM

109 replies

streamfx

Level 1

4 points

May 19, 2010 1:06 PM in response to HMayes

I have been talking with Applecare about this issue, they insist it is a 3rd party software package causing the problem.

May 20, 2010 11:28 PM in response to bearboykahlo

Another instance of the same issue here.

I received my brand new 15" MacBook Pro i5 yesterday and immediately transferred everything from my 2006 MacBook Pro using Migration Assistant. This included Hardware Growler which I was using to diagnose a separate issue ( http://theappleblog.com/2009/04/06/the-curious-case-of-the-missing-macbook-pro-k eyboard-and-trackpad/).

I've been using the new machine for a few hours now and, sure enough, I'm getting the "Ethernet Deactivated Interface: en0" notifications reported by several other posters in this thread. I've yet to contact Apple directly but, for lack of an official software patch or announcement regarding the issue, it may be something to do shortly.

hbridge

Level 1

10 points

May 24, 2010 7:19 PM in response to bearboykahlo

Same issue here:

Macbook Pro i7 2.66GHz, 4GB ram, 128GB SSDK, non-glossy screen

HW growler shows disconnected and System Prefs show flashing color every minute or so. Console log shows the two messages below every 71 seconds.

I created a separate location in the network prefs called "Airport Only" and deleted the Ethernet device from that profile. Switching to that profile when I'm not plugged in seems to solve the issue.

Log messages:

5/24/10 7:10:35 PM com.apple.loginwindow[42] 2010-05-24 19:10:35.616 ManagedClient[7834:903] MCXCCacheGraph(localhost, dsRecTypeStandard:Computers): The record "localhost" (dsRecTypeStandard:Computers) interferes with the computer cache. Delete this record to resume caching.
5/24/10 7:10:35 PM com.apple.loginwindow[42] 2010-05-24 19:10:35.617 ManagedClient[7834:903] MCX.getComputerInfoFromStartup: MCXCCacheGraph() == -2 (MCXCCacheGraph(localhost, dsRecTypeStandard:Computers): The record "localhost" (dsRecTypeStandard:Computers) interferes with the computer cache. Delete this record to resume caching.)
5/24/10 7:11:46 PM com.apple.loginwindow[42] 2010-05-24 19:11:46.496 ManagedClient[7843:903] MCXCCacheGraph(localhost, dsRecTypeStandard:Computers): The record "localhost" (dsRecTypeStandard:Computers) interferes with the computer cache. Delete this record to resume caching.
5/24/10 7:11:46 PM com.apple.loginwindow[42] 2010-05-24 19:11:46.498 ManagedClient[7843:903] MCX.getComputerInfoFromStartup: MCXCCacheGraph() == -2 (MCXCCacheGraph(localhost, dsRecTypeStandard:Computers): The record "localhost" (dsRecTypeStandard:Computers) interferes with the computer cache. Delete this record to resume caching.)

May 26, 2010 3:32 AM in response to coffeebucket

I ended up calling Apple support regarding this problem and a separate issue with slow wireless network speeds which others also seem to be having ( http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11482598).

In describing the issue, I pointed the technician to this thread. So Apple are at least aware of it. He was not able to help me on the spot and, instead, escalated the issue up the chain. I was given a rough turnaround time of 3 days. Will keep you posted.

ciurana

Level 1

0 points

May 26, 2010 7:12 AM in response to coffeebucket

Hola.

Please do let us know if you get a response. I reported this several weeks ago and still have an open case -- no reply yet. I reported similar actions to what you heard as well.

Cheers!

rod.gui

Level 1

10 points

May 26, 2010 4:59 PM in response to bearboykahlo

Add more 1. MacBook Pro 13 C2D 2.4GHz - MC374BZ/A
Mac OS X 10.6.3

May 27, 2010 11:08 AM in response to bearboykahlo

I checked it this weekend with a MacBook Pro i5 15" standing on display at Saturn - the problem was easily to identify.

Don't know what the "geniusses" at Apple are thinking geniusely?

May 27, 2010 11:36 AM in response to bearboykahlo

Same here on another MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2010

When will Apple finally offer a fix? This problem persists since the new hardware has been introduced!

streamfx

Level 1

4 points

May 27, 2010 2:26 PM in response to The_Imperator

Applecare is telling me I have to goto genius bar and they can resolve that.

May 30, 2010 4:17 AM in response to bearboykahlo

Have been subscribed to this topic for a while, but didn't want to post until I had all the details I could gather. I have a CTO 15" i7 that presents the same issues. I took it to the Genius Bar and was given an initial diagnosis of a software problem, but the Genius took a look at the floor computers and saw that all the new MacBook Pros were doing the same thing.

It appears only to be a problem when the cable is unplugged; when I have a cable plugged in, it works like a champ, handling a solid connection to my network. I tried reinstalling the OS with the disc that came in the box, and with only first-party software installed on the machine, it still presents an issue.

The Geniuses apologized for not being able to help, but since it's likely a software issue, there's not much they can do to fix this.

Interestingly, there's no relevant log entries in system.log or kernel.log. I uploaded a video of bearboykahlo's third symptom (the Network PrefPane) to my Gallery: http://gallery.me.com/swohlers/100070

May 30, 2010 6:48 PM in response to bearboykahlo

This has started happening for me too. I've taken a tip from wayyy back at the beginning and disabled en0 as I don't use it (sudo ifconfig en0 down), which made the popups stop.

Jun 4, 2010 12:36 PM in response to DamienMcKenna

I also have this issue. As I don't use Ethernet the Terminal solution (sudo ifconfig en0 down) did the trick for me. I hope that we get a permanent fix soon :/

G-Rex

Level 1

25 points

Jun 7, 2010 7:05 PM in response to frcepeda45

Just got my new 15" MBP Core i5 today, same deal with Hardware Growler.

My "fix" is that I went to SysPref-->Network-->Ethernet-->Gear (options)-->Make service inactive. I'm on Airport 97% of the time, so will just re-enable if/when I need it. This way I can keep HwG working and not have to see the same "ethernet Disconnected en0" message twice every 70 seconds.

Jun 7, 2010 11:14 PM in response to G-Rex

This workaround did the trick for me as well. But still I'm very disappointed Apple still hasn't released a fix for this bug. In fact I find it quite embarrassing. I expect a higher quality standard from Apple.

Jun 13, 2010 3:59 AM in response to The_Imperator

Same problem here. I didn't know it was happening until I found a link to this post on the Boxee forum. There are some people with new 2010 MBP who are having problems with Boxee. Every time the program starts, the wireless connection drops. The reason for this is the strange behavior of the ethernet adapter. Once disabled, Boxee seems to work fine. Waiting for a patch from Apple. If not, I'll return the MBP before the warranty expires.

Odd console messages when ethernet cable is NOT connected