Security

Hi all,

We've been having issues with Apple TVs on and off for a while now. It seemed to have all been resolved, until a recent reboot of the controller which may have lost some of the configuration.

The problem is that when AirPlay mirroring, iPads will randomly disconnect mid session. After being disconnected, the user will no longer be "see" that Apple TV in the list, until they have put the iPad in Airplane mode, then back again.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be only certain Apple TVs/only certain locations. Its very random and difficult to troubleshoot. 

We have a 7210, running Aruba OS 6.3.1.1. We are no longer using AirGroup due to it causing problems with printing.

Any ideas/suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Stephen

#7210

Did you have this issue when AirGroup was enabled? It is not recommended to use AirGroup-type services without AirGroup enabled because of broadcast and multicast in the air.

Yes we did unfortunately. I would prefer to keep AirGroup enabled but the printers just dont work at all with it on.

What kind of printers? Are you trying to use AirPrint or DLNA printers?

 

AOS 6.4 is required for non-AirPrint printer discovery (Windows, Android, Linux)

A variety - we use a system called PaperCut which utilises virtual printers, set up with generic drivers. Had the same problem with a couple of Dells and HP that weren't going through PaperCut as well. All shared through our Apple Server, so using AirPrint.
The printers would just disappear from the air after a short while, which would require "re sharing" them from the server. There was a support case open about it, but as disabling AirGroup "fixed" it, the case was closed.

Are you able to sniff the PaperCut server to see what service advertisements it is sending out (SSDP)? Sometimes you need to add a custom service ID to AirGroup (AOS 6.4).

It just advertises the printers using the standard AirPrint services. We looked at it with Aruba's engineers but they kept trying to blame our print server - and seeing as all those issues went away as soon as AirGroup was disabled that was obviously not the case.

Hi Stephen

We experienced a similar issue with a school we were dealing with. It turned out there was a recall on some models of Apple TVs check the model number for an extended warranty Programme with your local Apple Service provider.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul,

Thats interesting to know - you dont happen to remember which models do you? Nearly all of ours are the latest generation, model no. A1469

Hi Stephen. The Programme is for 3rd gen appletvs with last four letters in the serial no. Being DHRN. Ensure they are running 5.2.1 and if still dropping or unable to join the network consult your local AASP.
Hope this fixes your issue.
Regards
Paul

Hi Paul,

As it happens we do have a bunch with matching serial numbers, however none are running 5.2.1 - all are up to date with the current software version. And actually, the ones that have the matching serial numbers, are not the ones we've been having problems with either unfortunately! D'oh.
Stephen

Stephen,

 

I would upgrade to ArubaOS 6.3.1.7 (the latest) if you can.  There is a bug where bonjour sleep proxy (macs configured to sleep) will knock AppleTVs out of the server table in Airgroup.  If you are willing to upgrade, you should try it.  Bug#96236 in the ArubaOS 6.3.1.7 release notes:

 

Hi Colin,
Interesting! Could you explain that a bit further for me?
The only thing is at the moment, we don't have AirGroup enabled so not sure if that would still be relevant?

I was wondering if it was anything to do with ARM settings, devices/apple TVs jumping between points mid connection? Thats been my more recent line of thinking...

Stephen

Only if you have Airgroup enabled. It should just work otherwise.

Was there any update to this issue? I'm seeing timeouts on a mac server running 10.10 with papercut. AOS 6.3.1.4 and CPPM 6.4.3. AirGroup enabled CPPM registration enforced. 

Jclingan,

What is the detail of your setup? What is getting disconnected?

The printer shows up and works and then dissappears after a time - about an hour. 

What kind of printer is this? Can the printer be pinged at that time? We have to separate wifi issues from printer issues, bonjour issues and application issues...

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@jclingan wrote:

The printer shows up and works and then dissappears after a time - about an hour. 

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jclingan,

 

There could be an upcoming fix for this.  Please message me your Version of ArubaOS and your TAC ticket.

 

Hi Josh,

Unfortunately no, still haven't got anywhere - other than at the moment to keep printing working we have disabled AirGroup. PaperCut is exactly what we are using as well! Trying to explain how that was all set up to support was quite tricky.

Stephen