# Traffic from other cluster members is lost after enabling VMAC

**Product**: ClusterXL, VSX (Traditional)

**Version**: R81.10 (EOS), R81.20  
**Last Modified**: 2024-12-03

## Symptoms

- RX packet drops on interfaces running with ICE driver.
- Connection between Virtual Systems from different VSX appliances is lost.
- The Security Gateway may crash in Bridge mode or in Non-Bridge mode when the number of MAC addresses in its network interface card's table exceeds the hardware capacity limit.

## Cause

When enabling Virtual MAC (VMAC) in a cluster, the source pruning filter in the ICE driver may inadvertently filter legitimate traffic from other cluster members. This occurs because source pruning mechanisms are often designed to prevent loops and redundant traffic by expecting unique MAC addresses for each physical device. When multiple devices share the same VMAC, the source pruning filter might misinterpret incoming traffic as duplicate or spoofed, leading to its filtering. As a result, legitimate traffic from other cluster members can be incorrectly dropped.

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included starting from:

- [Check Point Quantum R82](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk181127)
- [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.20](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.20/Default.htm) starting from Take 89
- [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.10](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.10/Default.htm) starting from Take 170

If you choose not to upgrade, Check Point can supply a **Hotfix**. [Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.

A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing the Hotfix.

For faster resolution and verification, please collect [CPinfo files](http://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk92739) from the Security Management Server and Security Gateways involved in the case.

**Hotfix installation instructions:**

Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk168597).

#### NOTE

This solution has been verified for the specific scenario, described by the combination of Product, Version and Symptoms. It may not work in other scenarios.

## Article Properties

**Access Level**: General  
**Status**: Approved by TAC  
**Date Created**: 2024-11-25  
**Last Modified**: 2024-12-03