Disabling Bonjour on Mac OS X 10.6

By default Mac OS X uses the mDNSResponder process for unicast DNS (domain name system) and Bonjour functions. If you disable this process you will break both DNS and Bonjour. Without DNS you’ll be unable to resolve host names which is required to do just about anything.

Depending on your setup, it might be a good idea to disable Apple’s Bonjour.

Important: Before you begin make sure to backup your computer using time machine.

To disable Bonjour and leave DNS functional follow the sets below.

1. Make a backup copy of the mDNSResponder.plist file as a precaution.
2. Open the mDNSResponder.plist file in terminal. Here is a sample command:

   sudo nano "/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist"

3. Add “<string>-NoMulticastAdvertisements</string>” to the array in the “ProgramArguments” section.

In other words:


<key>ProgramArguments</key>
        <array>
            <string>/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder</string>
            <string>-launchd</string>
        </array>

becomes…

        <key>ProgramArguments</key>
        <array>
            <string>/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder</string>
            <string>-launchd</string>
            <string>-NoMulticastAdvertisements</string>
        </array>

4. Save the file. Important: If you edited the file using emacs, you must remove the emacs backup file (the file with a tilde at the end of the name, “/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist~”) or your Mac will not start up.
5. Restart your Mac.

Source: Apple Article HT3789