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EREMOTE
This page examines too many remote levels in a Darwin path. A legacy remote-filesystem path traversal exceeded the implementation boundary represented by EREMOTE.
Historical and API context
Darwin BSD system-call handling: Too many remote levels in a darwin path belongs to Darwin errno and should be decoded with the exact SDK or XNU header used by the target. Darwin extensions and legacy STREAMS names related to this error can differ in availability or numbering on other UNIX-like systems. The wording attached to EREMOTE is a clue to the original interface, not proof that a similarly named modern subsystem returned it.
Reconstruct the returning call
| Evidence | Question it answers |
|---|---|
| Path components, mount chain, NFS/automount state, vnode identities, and resolving syscall. | Ties this error to one live API object instead of a translated message. |
| Darwin errno value and the SDK/XNU header version used to decode it. | Shows whether this error arose in the caller ABI, wrapper, or provider. |
| First syscall/ioctl return plus process, thread, and object generation. | Preserves the first boundary before errno can be overwritten. |
| Known-good object of the same class on the same macOS build. | Provides a same-platform known-good comparison. |
A small reproduction
- Resolve the target from a direct mount without nested remote indirection. Keep the binary, header ABI, and provider fixed.
- Capture errno immediately and compare the paired return value. Record whether the control reaches the same syscall or runtime boundary as this error.
- Repeat with one controlled object while keeping identity and sandbox unchanged. A changed errno after this test is a new boundary, not another spelling of this error.
Two observations are especially discriminating here: Path components, mount chain, NFS/automount state, vnode identities, and resolving syscall. Use this control for comparison: resolve the target from a direct mount without nested remote indirection.
Portability traps
| Tempting assumption | Safer interpretation |
|---|---|
| The English phrase is assumed to be portable | EREMOTE belongs to Darwin BSD system-call handling; verify the target headers and returning API before applying another platform's errno table |
| A retry succeeded and erased the original evidence | A retry can replace the original errno with a different state; preserve the first call, numeric value, and object generation beforehand |
Correction and acceptance
Targeted correction. Simplify or repair the mount/path topology and avoid persisting paths through obsolete remote layers.
Regression proof. The same object resolves through the supported mount path and loop/remote-depth controls remain effective.
Technical references
- Apple XNU: errno.h — defines the status namespace used.
- Apple: intro(2) system-call errors — documents the API or lifecycle boundary behind this error.
- Apple OSS: XNU source — provides ABI, implementation, or protocol context.
- The Open Group: errno.h — supports the portability and verification limits.
Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.