Bad Umbrella Roaming Client for Mac (ver. 2.2.544)

Networkmaine is aware of issues with Cisco Umbrella, previously known as OpenDNS, specific to Macbooks.

When a Macbook running the Umbrella Roaming Client is updated to Roaming Client version 2.2.544, there is a chance it will break DNS resolution on that Macbook. When this happens, to the user it will appear that the Macbook is unable to connect to the internet.

The problematic update has been pulled from Umbrella’s servers, so no machine should be automatically updated to this version at this point. For this reason, if you have not encountered this issue as of yet, it is unlikely that you will be affected. Additionally, if you have not deployed the Umbrella Roaming Client to any Macbook computers, you will not be affected by this issue.

We have gotten reports that affected machines may be fixed by updating the roaming client to version 2.2.548, along with either

  • (a) creating a new network location in network preferences, and/or
  • (b) removing the 10.0.0.1 mapping for DNS in network preferences.

If this does not work for you, please feel free to reach out to our support for further assistance. If possible, please provide a diagnostic report from an affected machine: https://support.umbrella.com/hc/en-us/articles/234692027-Umbrella-Diagnostic-Tool

A direct link to the 2.2.548 version can be found here: https://disthost.umbrella.com/roaming/upgrade/mac/stage/RoamingClient_MAC_2.2.548.pkg.zip

As machines may be unable to access the above link, we are providing an alternate link which does not require DNS to work: http://130.111.32.130/RoamingClient_MAC_2.2.548.pkg.zip

There is also information being shared between schools on the ACTEM list – if you are subscribed to this list, it may be good to check there for any additional information.
Umbrella has some information on the updates here: https://support.umbrella.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057411011-Roaming-Client-for-macOS-Version-2-2-544
If we receive any additional information that may help in resolving this issue, we will pass it along.


Update: February 26, 2021 3:00pm

We’ve received word from Umbrella that the following steps should fix any remaining issues:

  • In MacOS, go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced
  • Click the DNS tab
  • In the left-hand pane, there will be a space for DNS servers. If there a selectable entry for 127.0.0.1, select it and click the minus (“-“) button to clear it from the list. If entry changes to greyed out text that is not selectable, this should be okay as long as it is not a selectable entry
  • This should allow Umbrella to begin working again.
  • To avoid a repeat, make sure you are upgraded to 2.2.548. If a machine is already upgraded to 2.2.544 and is then upgraded to 2.2.548 before a reboot, the issue should not occur.

Please let us know if you try these steps and are still having trouble with the Umbrella client.


Update: March 17, 2021 10:00am

Umbrella has released an update for the MacOS Roaming Client. Information on the update can be found in the bulletin here: https://support.umbrella.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057411011

In summary, this is the latest release in a series of updates aimed at resolving an issue with the client on MacOS systems. Deployed clients may start to receive this update automatically. If you wish to install the update manually as a test, a link is available through the page above.

If you do install this update, we would like to hear your experience with the update.