Why so many network interfaces?

[rjalex]

When I issue the ifconfig command on my new Mac Mini M1 I get around 20 different network interfaces.
The physical machine uses the cabled Ethernet interface and in certain situation I might activate the Wifi interface.
So normally I'd expect en0, maybe en1 and lo0.
What are those many other interfaces and is there an option for ifconfig to only show interfaces that have an IPv4 address to it?

Thanks a lot

 

[barbu]

i can't explain all of those, i am not familiar with M1 systems. I assume many of them are Thunderbolt interfaces, etc.
You can try this in in Terminal, though, it may do what you want:

ifconfig |grep "inet " -B4

 

[gdbleb]

I have a 2018/2020 Intel MM and I see roughly the same list so it may be Big Sur. Your M1 has anpi0 & anpi1 which I don't have - FYI. I don't recall ever seeing this many but I don't look very often.

 

[rjalex]

Thanks a lot ...
@barbu I might set an alias to ifconfig to your "ifconfig |grep "inet " -B4" incantation
PS Not sure if .bash_profile is the right place to define the alias on a BigSur Mac
PPS Found a good intro to zsh https://scriptingosx.com/2019/06/moving-to-zsh-part-2-configuration-files/
PPPS So added a .zshrc file and this into it alias ifconfig="ifconfig|grep 'inet ' -B4"

 

[barbu]

correct, zsh is the new default, looks like you're on the right track now
Although, i'd make the alias something other than the default command, so you can still run the real command if need be.

 

[rjalex]

Good point ... going for "ifc" Thanks and best wishes for a good 2021!