> Source: [sk177228](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk177228)

# sk177228 - /var/log/messages Is Flooded on the Standby Member with the Log 'allocate_port_impl: Could Not Find a Free Port'

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk177228 |
| Date Created | 2022-01-10 |
| Last Modified | 2022-10-06 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Gateway |
| Versions | R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * The dynamic NAT allocation port warning is continuously printed in */var/log/messages* :  

  `
  Jun 13 20:00:01 2021 host1 kernel: [fw4_27];[WARNING] allocate_port_impl: could not find a free port`  
  `
  Jun 14 00:00:01 2021 host1 kernel: [fw4_23];[WARNING] allocate_port_impl: could not find a free port`   

* The issue occurs only on the standby cluster member. The active member does not show the warnings.  
* SmartLog shows that the standby gateway tries to connect to an IP on DNS port 53 and receives a warning:   
  "`NAT ports are about to be exhausted, refer to sk156852.`"

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included in:

* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.10](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.10/Default.htm) starting from Take 55
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk170114) starting from Take 68
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R80.40](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R80.40/R80.40/R80.40-List-of-all-Resolved-Issues.htm?tocpath=_____4) starting from Take 161

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://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk168597).

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