System Extensions in Big Sur
Summary: Don't install Big Sur until
you make sure your USB/Serial connection will work!
If
your radio has an internal sound card, make sure that is
supported as well.
If you
are unsure - install Big Sur on an external HD so that you can
fall back if you have to.
Posted: March 21, 2020,
Updated: June 6, 2021
Warnings
for Legacy System Extensions started to appear on reboot after
installing macOS 10.15.4
These extensions are provided by the manufacturers (FTDI,
Silicon Labs etc.) of internal and external USB/Serial adapters
(UARTS) and are needed for CAT control of many serial port
(non-LAN) based radios, rotor controllers, etc.
Apple
intends to eventually prohibit kernel extensions for security
reasons and replace the functionality with DriverKit extensions
running in user space.
The
UART manufacturers have announced their intention to support
Apple's migration from Kernel Extensions to DriverKit Extensions.
Many UARTs are already supported automatically by Apple supplied
Driver Kit extensions in Big Sur.
As Apple System Extensions and DriverKit adds functionality, 3rd
party kernel extensions with matching functionality will not be
needed and will not load.
microHAM
DXP is a Standard USB Class device and does not require
a 3rd party driver on Intel or Apple M1 Silicon Macs.
Native
DriverKit Support:
Apple
released Big Sur with built-in support for many (but not all)
serial devices.
Big Sur DriverKit (Intel and M1) currently supports
the following devices without any 3rd party driver:
- FTDI:
Most devices tested so far with standard VID/PID including...
- KX3, K4
- K9JM CI-V Router
- WinkeyUSB
- Generic UART cables
- Silicon
Labs:
- CP2102 (Icom IC-7610, IC-7300,
IC-9700, TS-590 etc.)
- Prolific:
Most devices tested so far.
Big Sur DriverKit does not
currently support the following devices without a
3rd party driver:
- Silicon
Labs
- CP2105 (Yaesu
FT-991, FTdx101, etc.)
- Keyspan/TrippLite
USA-19HS
Manufacturer
supplied drivers:
- FTDI
- CP2105
(Yaesu):
- Silicon Labs has released a new
driver...
- v6.0.1
released March 26, 2021
- Installs and loads on Apple M1 Silicon macOS 11.3
- Installs and loads on Intel macOS 11.3
- Terminal command to display
installed 3rd party DriverKit extensions:
$ systemextensionsctl
list
com.apple.system_extension.driver_extension
2 extension(s)
---
com.apple.system_extension.driver_extension
enabled
active teamID bundleID (version) name
[state]
*
*
658CPPCMJJ
com.ftdi.vcp.dext
(1.0/089)
NullDriver
[activated enabled]
*
*
52444FG85C
com.silabs.cp210x
(6.0.1/1)
com.silabs.cp210x
[activated enabled]
Workaround
for legacy kext drivers:
- Disable SIP (not usually
recommended - proceed with caution)
- Shutdown Mac
- Hold <command> R during startup
until Apple Logo.
- Run Terminal from Utilities menu in
Recovery mode and enter the following...
(don't enter the $ prompt, press return at the end of
each line)
- $ csrutil disable
- $ reboot
- Install SiLabs driver in
macOS.
To check SIP
status from the macOS Terminal enter...
$ csrutil status