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What is the number between brackets next to the interface name in ifconfig output?
In the following output i.e. (17)

en0 (17):
  inet address  192.168.4.5

EDIT
As requested I add more info.
I was using ifconfig on Ventura but this called the Homebrew command instead the native one.
Using /sbin/ifconfig i got the output without the brackets.

en0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
...
..
0

1 Answer 1

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You're using the GNU ifconfig tool that comes when installing inetutils from HomeBrew (for example).

The number in the brackets is just an ID/index number - it is not listed when using the standard, macOS ifconfig command.

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  • Yes! I was not aware I was using Homebrew ifconfig and not the native one. Thank you!
    – Walter
    Commented Feb 15, 2023 at 10:11

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