Log shows Unhandled link-local or multicast IPv6 packet dropped

SonicWall appliance after upgrading to 5.9 firmware shows log messages Unhandled link-local or multicast IPv6 packet dropped.


This is a generic log message which comes up when you update the firewall to 5.9 firmware and is related to IPv6.

As the SonicWall has started supporting IPv6 from 5.9 firmware it recognizes the packets with IPv6. There is nothing to worry about these dropped messages as they are multicast messages for IPv6 which almost all the windows OS starting from Windows 7 supports and have enabled by default.

Even if you are not running your network on IPv6 these packets are still sent for that multicast group which all IPv6 devices are member of and that is the reason SonicWall listens these packets. It drops them as they are irrelevant for SonicWall

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

Please follow these steps to turn these messages off

1. Please navigate to Device|Logs|Settings.
2. Expand Firewall Settings | Mutlicast uncheck the GUI and Alert and Email for Link-Local/Multicast IPv6 Packet.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

Please follow these steps to turn these messages off

1. Please navigate to Manage | Log Settings | Base Setup.
2. Expand Firewall Settings | Mutlicast uncheck the GUI and Alert and Email for Link-Local/Multicast IPv6 Packet.
   
   
   

Resolution for SonicOS 6.2 and Below

The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. For firewalls that are generation 6 and newer we suggest to upgrade to the latest general release of SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

Please follow these steps to turn these messages off

1. Please navigate to Log|settings.
2. Expand Firewall settings|Mutlicast.
   
   
   
3. Please Expand Multicast and uncheck the GUI and Alert and Email for Link-Local/Multicast IPv6 Packet.
   
4. The Log messages should stop showing up now