Wireless Access

Hi,

 

We've just updated our 3400 controller to OS 6.4 but can not get Chromecast to work. Both the laptop and Chromecast are on the same subnet. Chromecast is enabled in Airgroup. 

 

Are there any other changes that need to be made for Chromecasts to function properly?

 

Thanks.

#3400

Are you trying to use a Chromecast-enabled application like YouTube or the Google Cast plugin inside of Chrome?

 

The Google Cast plugin has a limitation on Windows where it will not discover teh Chromecast unless you are connected to the same SSID even though it can actually L2 discover it.

I am using a MacBook running 10.9.2, the Chrome browser, with the plugin, and with the Chrome app.

Hello

It was working before the upgrade?

 

Cheers

Carlos

No it was not but 6.4 is supposed to add compatibility for Chromecast as well as DLNA devices.

Yes, SSDP support was added in 6.4

 

Can you run:

 

#show airgroup servers dlna

 

Do you see the Chromecast?

I just ran show airgroup servers dlna and it is not showing up but I know that it's on the same subnet as my laptop.

Can you post the output of:

 

(test-7210) #show airgroupservice dlna

 and

 

(test-7210) #show airgroup status

 

Sure...

• (3600) # show airgroupservice dlna

   

  AirGroupService Details

  -----------------------

  Service     Description  Disallowed-Role  Disallowed-VLAN  ID

  -------     -----------  ---------------  ---------------  --

  Chromecast  Chromecast                    1                urn:dial-multiscreen-org:service:dial:1

                                            900              urn:dial-multiscreen-org:device:dial:1

                                            5                

                                            6                

                                            7                

                                            9                

  DLNA Media  Media                         1                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:1

                                            900              urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:2

                                            5                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:3

                                            6                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:4

                                            7                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1

                                            9                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:2

                                                             urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:3

                                                             urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaPlayer:1

  DLNA Print  Print                         1                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:Printer:1

                                            900              urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:PrintBasic:1

                                            5                urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:PrintEnhanced:1

                                            6                

                                            7                

                                            9                

  Num Services:3

  Num Service-ID:13

   

   

  (3600) #show airgroup status      

   

  AirGroup Feature

  ----------------

  Status

  ------

  Enabled

   

  AirGroup- MDNS Feature

  ----------------------

  Status

  ------

  Enabled

   

  AirGroup- DLNA Feature

  ----------------------

  Status

  ------

  Enabled

   

  AirGroup Location Discovery

  ---------------------------

  Status

  ------

  Enabled

   

  AirGroup Active Wireless Discovery

  ----------------------------------

  Status

  ------

  Disabled

   

  AirGroup Enforce Registration

  -----------------------------

  Status

  ------

  Disabled

   

  AirGroup IPV6 Support

  ---------------------

  Status

  ------

  Disabled

   

  AirGroup Service Information

  ----------------------------

  Service     Status

  -------     ------

  airplay     Enabled

  airprint    Enabled

  itunes      Disabled

  remotemgmt  Disabled

  sharing     Disabled

  chat        Disabled

  Chromecast  Enabled

  DLNA Media  Disabled                              

  DLNA Print  Disabled

  allowall    Disabled

  iphoto      Enabled

Are you seeing the Chromecast in the user-table?

Yes I am. Although Aruba OS doesn't seem to know what kind of device it is...

 

Can you try enabling a user-debug for the device and then power cycling it?

 

 

Do you see the SSDP cache update messages?

 

Mar 4 09:53:34 :527000:  <DBUG> |mdns|  ssdp_cache_update 525 NOTIFY: mac 6c:ad:f8:4e:e2:a3 cache write;ST/NT=urn:dial-multiscreen-org:device:dial:1, USN uuid:0f40f3df-4e82-3205-7f5c-5a43293e968f::urn:dial-multiscreen-org:device:dial:1

 

I've attached two user debugs. 1. when the laptop is trying to connect to the chromecast, and 2. when the chromecast is trying to connect to the wireless network

Hm. It looks like the Chromecast is not registering.

 

Is this a production controller? Is it possible to enable active discovery as a test?

 

yes it's out master controller. what is active discovery and how do i enable it?

Active discovery will send out service queries to devices from the controller. This allows the controller to see mDNS and SSDP services without a device actually requesting the service. 

 

It can be enabled with the following command:

(config) #airgroup active-wireless-discovery enable

 

derbystar16,

 

The device type in the user table is only populated when the device does http.  The chromecast did not do http in this cirumstance, so as far as the user table, it does not have a type.  For the Chromecast to work, it has to be listed in "show airgroup servers", so that the controller can proxy information for the device back to the client.

 

Just as a test:

 

- Disable Airgroup

- Make sure the chromecast is in the same VLAN as the user trying to discover it

- Make sure there is no "drop broadcast and multicast" enabled on the Virtual AP of the Chromecast or the Virtual AP of the user.

- Try to locate the Chromecast with the browser extension, or other Chromecast-enabled apps on a mobile phone like Google Play Movies, Music 

- Make sure the user role of the Chromecast and the User allows the SSDP ports so that the Chromecast can be discovered or make them allowall temporarily.

 

If with those parameters disable, you still cannot see the Chromecast devices, you might have another issue.

 

Ok, after disabling Airgoup, then unchecking Drop Broadcast and Multicast, it now works. But we have about 40 Apple TVs on campus that we use in our classrooms and i believe that the Drop Broadcast and Multicast checkbox must be enabled.

 

After turning those two options back on, it doesn't work anymore.

Do the Chromecast devices exist under "show airgroup server" when Airgroup is enabled?

 

Enabling Dropping Broadcast and multicast is important to reduce the traffic overhead in your network, NOT to make Airgroup Work.

No it does not. As soon as I disable Drop Broadcast and Multicast, and disable Airgroup, then the Chromecast pops up and works. As soon as I enable Airgroup, the Chromecast disappears and no longer works.

Can you turn on Active Wireless Discovery?

Ive enabled Active Wireless Discovery in Airgroup. Currently Airgroup is enabled as well as Drop Broadcast and Multicast.

What is the output of:

 

show airgroupservice | begin Chromecast

 

(3600) #show airgroupservice | begin Chromecast

Chromecast  Chromecast                          900              urn:dial-multiscreen-org:service:dial:1

                                                5                urn:dial-multiscreen-org:device:dial:1

                                                6                

                                                7                

                                                9                

                                                1                

DLNA Media  Media                               1                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:1

                                                900              urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:2

 

 

AirGroupService Details

-----------------------

Service     Description           Disallowed-Role  Disallowed-VLAN  ID

-------     -----------           ---------------  ---------------  --

                                                   9                

                                                   900              

Chromecast  Chromecast                             900              urn:dial-multiscreen-org:service:dial:1

                                                   5                urn:dial-multiscreen-org:device:dial:1

                                                   6                

                                                   7                

                                                   9                

                                                   1                

DLNA Media  Media                                  1                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:1

                                                   900              urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:2

                                                   5                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:3

                                                   6                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaServer:4

                                                   7                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1

                                                   9                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:2

                                                                    urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:3

                                                                    urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaPlayer:1

DLNA Print  Print                                  1                urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:Printer:1

                                                   900              urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:PrintBasic:1

                                                   5                urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:PrintEnhanced:1

                                                   6                

                                                   7                

                                                   9                

allowall    Remaining-Services                     1                

                                                   5                

                                                   6                

                                                   7                

                                                   9                

                                                   900              

iphoto      iPhoto Photo Sharing                   1                _dpap._tcp

                                                   900              

                                                   5                

                                                   6                

 

 

AirGroupService Details

-----------------------

Service  Description           Disallowed-Role  Disallowed-VLAN  ID

-------  -----------           ---------------  ---------------  --

                                                6                

                                                7                

                                                9                

                                                900              

iphoto   iPhoto Photo Sharing                   1                _dpap._tcp

                                                900              

                                                5                

                                                6                

                                                7                

                                                9                

Num Services:11

Num Service-ID:50

 

(3600) # 

1.  Backup your configuration - "copy running flash: chrome-edit.cfg" ---  We will revert to chrome-edit.cfg if we need to go back to before this configuration change.

 

2.  Enter the following parameters:

config t
airgroupservice Chromecast
id _googlecast._tcp

 Type "show airgroup servers" to see if you now see the Chromecast device..

Okay, we're getting somewhere. Adding in that service ID made the Chromecast show up as an airgroup server. And the Chromecast shows up as an option within Chrome. But as soon as you click on it, we get the message, "The selected device is no longer online."

 

I'm assuming this has to do with the drop broadcast feature being enabled in the VAP.

 

Drop Broadcast should have no bearing on the feature. Are you blocking any traffic between the Chromecast and the user trying to connect to it?

No, not at all. I've attached another debug from the laptop attempting to connect to the chromecast.

Do you have any roles or VLAN disallowed in Airgroup?

No roles but we do have several VLANs disabled. The only two that are enabled are the ones used for employees and students. I enabled all of them, restarted Airgroup to no avail.

Is the Chromecast on a disabled VLAN?

 

No it's not.

If turning off air group and drop broadcasts allows it to work, the restrictions are within airgroup somewhere.

Yes it would seem so. I wonder if this early release (6.4) is buggy. We've aleady found a service ID that's not included in the Chromecast settings: _googlecast._tcp

Weird. We've been using Chromecasts with AirGroup without any custom service IDs for about 3 months.

Yeah I'm at a loss. Do you think I should create a case with Aruba so they can delve into this further?

I would. They might be able to debug it a little bit further.

Just a quick update on this. I spent 3 hours on the phone with Aruba support yesterday afternoon with no progress. They collected a bunch of logs and I'm waiting on someone to analyze them. The tech support engineer thinks that there could be some bugs that need to be worked out.

Thanks for the update derbystar16. We are waiting for Chromecast support, but are going to wait until 6.4 is general availability. Please keep us informed if you make any progress.

Thanks,
Steve

I think it is important to understand that Apple TVs as well as Chromecast devices are consumer devices and they do not have the same support that enterprise devices have.  That means that there are issues that will exist even outside of the wireless that will probably need to be dealt with, but they won't have the support of enterprise products.  Since that Apple and Google do not treat these devices like enterprise devices, when there is an issue with these devices there will be alot of head-scratching involved due to the nature of the product.  Chromecast works for a number of people on 6.4, but it does not work for derbystar, and somehow we need to find out why in his specific setup it is not working.

 

cjoseph, I agree. And we all understand that these are consumer products and are willing to be patient while the bugs are found and addressed. On the other hand, these are extremely powerful tools that can't seem to be matched in the enterprise. We have an Apple TV in each classroom. What tool made for the enterprise can do what an Apple TV can do, in regards to full screen mirroring, as well as applications? I can't think of any.

 

We're on Spring break right now and it's a perfect time to dive into this. Apple TV use through Airgroup has been getting more reliable with each release. We're not even looking into implementing Chromecast devices in the classroom but we do have Faculty and Students living on campus. And for them, these things need to work.

Any updates on this?

 

I have 3 IAP-103's with Virtual Controller setup. 2 of the chromcast are less than 5 feet from the AP. and roughly 30-60' from the other 2 AP's. But they keep randomly switching to further AP's at which time the dissapper. Plus the Role randomly switches from the SSID name to Unknown 105. 

 

We've tried both iphones, android phones, tablets and a mac laptop and still have inconsistent results. With a system reboot, all the chromecast show up great for a few hours, then they start not showing up as options anymore. They do however always show connected to an AP, just don't show up as a stream to option. 

Cory,

 

 

If you have a Chromecast that keep switching from access point to access point you should:

 

1 - Make sure that the MAX TX power in the ARM profile on the IAP VC is no more than 18.  While you are at it, change the Min TX power to 12 or below.  Clients will bounce from access point to access point if the access point power is more than the client's output power.

2 - Turn off ClientMatch on the IAP, because that could exacerbate things if issue #1 exists

3 - Test to see if things improve

 

Like Cory, I am having an issue where my Chromecast(s) disappear from being an AirGroup server, I don't have any wireless connectivity issues with my Chromecast(s). I am running 6.4.2.6-4.1.1.8_50989 on an IAP-205.

 

I have "Enable Bonjour" checked and the following Airgroup Services checked: airplay, itunes, googlecast. Running "show airgroup status" in the shell confirms that these services are enabled.

 

My SSID has broadcast filtering set to "ARP".

 

The Chromecast will appear as an Airgroup server when it is first turned on but it sits idle for 20+ minutes, it disappears as an Airgroup server and never returns again unless I reboot the Chromecast. When it is listed as an airgroup server, everything works great within the VLAN and between VLANs, however, when it isn't listed, it doesn't work at all.

 

I have an Apple Airport Express on the wired network with airplay enabled and it always listed as an Airgroup server and it always works.

 

One difference I noticed between the airplay and googlecast services is the Airgroup cache for the Airport Express is constantly being updated whereas with the Chromecast the cache is never updated.

 

I notice that the IAP doesn't have the "active-wireless-discovery" option for the Airgroup cache, is that because it is always enabled now? Or is it not included in the IAP? It sounds like it might help with my issue.

 

As a side, if I turn off Airgroup, and change my SSID broadcast filtering to disabled, the Chromecast(s) work all the time within the VLAN.

 

Thanks,

Scott.

Scott83,

 

On the commandline of the controller, you should type "show airgroup blocked-service-id" to see if your chromecast is sending service ids that have not been added to the Chromecast service.

 

Please upgrade to 6.4.3. These issues are resolved.


Thanks,
Tim

@Colin

 

There are 7 things listed there, 3 of which reference googlecast.

 

@Tim

 

Is 6.4.3 available for the IAP-205? Other posts I've read seem to indicate that it was still beta for the IAP.

 

Thanks guys,

Scott.

Scott,

 

Please use the instructions here:  http://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/Instant_41_WebHelp/InstantWebHelp.htm#UG_files/Services/AirGroup/Configuring_AirGroup_on_.htm?Highlight=airgroup to ensure that the Chromecast service is enabled.  If it is, add the 3 lines you see on the blocked service IDs to the ChromeCast Service.  After you add them, make sure they are no longer blocked.  See if that fixes your issue.

Hey Colin,

 

Thanks for the instructions but it won't allow me to add the blocked service IDs, they are:

_\037f8012bb2514bb5f7025f4c2741dc003016a32235._sub._googlecast._tcp
_\037b5c891634da02b05588c11e9ebefc2616a1b6193._sub._googlecast._tcp
_\0379e5e7c8f47989526c9bcd95d24084f6f0b27c5ed._sub._googlecast._tcp

 

I can't edit the googlecast service in the UI so from the console I:

 

# config t
(config) # airgroupservice googlecast
(airgroup-service) # id _\037f8012bb2514bb5f7025f4c2741dc003016a32235._sub._googlecast._tcp
(airgroup-service) # id _\037b5c891634da02b05588c11e9ebefc2616a1b6193._sub._googlecast._tcp
(airgroup-service) # id _\0379e5e7c8f47989526c9bcd95d24084f6f0b27c5ed._sub._googlecast._tcp
(airgroup-service) # end
# commit apply
commiting configuration...

could not add this id.
#

 

I tried adding them to a new service called called Chromecast in the UI but it tells me they are invalid. Now I can see why it probably isn't working, it deems those IDs invalid.

 

Thanks,

Scott.

 

Scott83,

 

EDIT:

 

Scott, Do you have DLNA enabled on the Airgroup Discovery Tab?

Colin,

 

I do not, should I enable it?

 

Thanks,

Scott.

Chromecast is DLNA traffic, so yes, you should enable it.

---

@cjoseph wrote:

Chromecast is DLNA traffic, so yes, you should enable it.

---

 Hey Colin,

 

I enabled DLNA and the DLNA Media airgroup service, still no luck.

 

Thanks,

Scott.

To follow up, I upgraded to 6.4.4.3-4.2.2.0_53034 the other day and my Chromecast(s) finally work with Airgroup and my android devices! I no longer have the blocked service ID's and they actually appear in the cache now.

 

But now I have a new issue, if I have Airgroup enabled, my iPad no longer works with the Chromecast! I guess you can't win them all! It would appear that some apps in iOS still use DIAL discovery (as opposed to mdns) and the DIAL part doesn't appear to be working for me. The iPad does see the Chromecast in the 'Google Cast' app but the 'cast' icon won't appear in any apps unless I turn off Airgroup and disable the AP broadcast filtering. Even if I have Airgroup on and broadcast filtering off, it still doesn't work. There do not appear to be any blocked service ID's.

 

I guess that's why iOS should stick with airplay and android with google cast!

 

Thanks for your previous efforts Colin!

I just completed a residential IAP-205 install and came across the Chromecast issue.

 

Regardless of the airgroup settings, we had to disable 802.11k/v/r roaming.  Only then would the Chromecast attach to the network.

Interesting, I have 802.11k/v (not 802.11r) enabled on the SSID that my Chromecasts connect to and all 3 seem to work fine with it.

 

Friendly suggestion, I made two SSID's tagged to the same vlan, one with 802.11k/v enabled (SSID = mywifi), and a second one with 802.11k/v/r enabled (SSID = mywifi-FT).

 

I connect all my non-mobile devices (chromecasts, smart thermostats, etc.) and all those devices that do not support 802.11r to 'mywifi'. And then I connect our android phones and ipad to 'mywifi-FT' because they are mobile and support 802.11r. It works quite well.

I'll be returning to the client site next week and will narrow it down further.  It also seems that the roaming settings affect older HP wifi printers as well.  I'll report back.

 

And yes, I often do dial SSIDs for legacy or static equipment.  I try to avoid it if I can as some of the older equipment can't handle a hidden SSID across a reboot.  But if I have to, I will deploy a dumbed-down feature SSID to deal with this.

Any idea when 6.4.3 might go GA?  I'd prefer not to run ED code on my production network, but I'm starting to get the students with Chromecasts lining up at the helpdesk.

Not sure about GA, but It's very stable.

Can you think of any other drivers to push me from 6.4.2.12 to 6.4.3?

That's really the only thing I can think of for a university environment.