Hi everyone,

I'm running macOS Sequoia 15.3 on a MacBook Pro Late 2016 (MacBookPro13,3) using the OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP). I’ve encountered an issue with PCIe-via-Thunderbolt Ethernet support on my CalDigit docks and I’m hoping for some community insight.

Setup Details

I have three CalDigit docking stations that I use at different desks while working mobile (they are not used simultaneously):

• Two CalDigit TS3+ docks – both equipped with an Intel I210 Ethernet controller
• One CalDigit TS4 dock – equipped with an Intel I225 Ethernet controller

The Issue

One of my TS3+ docks works properly because its PCIe Device ID matches an entry in the Info.plist of the CatalinaIntelI210Ethernet.kext in /EFI/OC/Kexts/CatalinaIntelI210Ethernet.kext/Contents/Info.plist. However, the other TS3+ and the TS4 do not work because their PCIe Device IDs do not match any entry in the kext’s Info.plist. Consequently, the kext does not load for these devices, and I lose Ethernet connectivity on those docks.

Under Ventura using OCLP, I had no issues with these devices. I skipped Sonoma, and now, under macOS Sequoia, I’m wondering why I need theCatalinaIntelI210Ethernet.kext for Intel I210 and I225 PCIe Ethernet controllers in the first place.

A side note: When I attempted to modify the Info.plist to add additional PCIe Device IDs, my system became unbootable—even though there were no syntactical errors in the XML file. This further complicates finding a reliable solution.

Questions for the Community

1. Kext Necessity & Alternatives:
   • Why is the CatalinaIntelI210Ethernet.kext required on macOS Sequoia in my case? I would expect that a current macOS version on a modern MacBook would provide native support for Intel I210/I225 controllers as CalDigit docks are quite common and even CalDigit does not offer Ethernet drivers for their docks.
   • How do MacBook users with current (non-OCLP) Apple systems manage this situation? Do they need any special driver for these controllers, or does Apple’s native support cover it fully? Why is this not working in my OCLP setup?
   • Is modifying the kext’s Info.plist to add the missing PCIe Device IDs the best solution, or is there an alternative approach?
2. Device IDs in Question:
   • Working TS3+ (kext matches):
     • Vendor ID: 32902 (0x8086, Intel)
     • Device ID: (matches the entry in the kext’s Info.plist: 0x1533)
   • Non-working TS3+ & TS4:
     • Vendor ID: 32902 (0x8086, Intel)
     • Device ID: (0x5502 in case of the other TS3+ and the TS4, maybe the non-working TS3+ also has a I225 chip)

Context

I use these CalDigit docks at different workstations while on the go. I’m not connecting all three docks simultaneously, but I need each to function properly when I switch desks. Under Ventura with OCLP, I did not experience any issues with these devices, but after skipping Sonoma and now running Sequoia 15.3, I’m facing this driver mismatch problem. Moreover, my attempt to modify the kext’s Info.plist resulted in an unbootable system—even though the XML syntax was correct—which makes the situation even more challenging.

I’d really appreciate any insights on how to handle this issue for Intel I210 and I225 controllers. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with these CalDigit docks under Sequoia?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!