Wireless Access

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

What version of ArubaOS are you running? If you search the discussion forums for the past 2 years, you'll find a few threads about my immense struggles with AirGroup. Ever since moving to Aruba OS 8, I've experienced everything that the original poster has mentioned. We upgraded to 8.10.0.8 last Summer and it completely broke AirPrint and we had to revert back to 8.7 which is where we remain today.

I was told that 8.10.0.10 contains some important fixes for AirGroup but I can't move to that until the Summer.

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

8.10.0.10 is available since Feb and indeed it has a few airgroup fixes. You can check the release notes from HP Networking Support portal .

What version of ArubaOS are you running? If you search the discussion forums for the past 2 years, you'll find a few threads about my immense struggles with AirGroup. Ever since moving to Aruba OS 8, I've experienced everything that the original poster has mentioned. We upgraded to 8.10.0.8 last Summer and it completely broke AirPrint and we had to revert back to 8.7 which is where we remain today.

I was told that 8.10.0.10 contains some important fixes for AirGroup but I can't move to that until the Summer.

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

Thanks for the replies.

Currently on ArubaOS 8.11.1.1

I plan to update to 8.12 in the next 1-2 weeks.

It does partially seem that I need the client MacBook to clear it's DNS/mDNS cache in order for it to reestablish connection to the printers. Until I refresh the dns-cache it can see the printers advertised, but it cannot actually print using Airprint.

I guess it's worth noting that the address of my printers in Presto are handed out as Lookup Zone records on my DNS Server. This in theory allows for a seamless Zero Config printing solution. The printers are not actually listed in the Airgroup. I have Airprint enabled only on my student BYOD network. 

Update: looking closely at the console logs for a few clients while they are actively having this issue, it looks like there is definitely an issue resolving address and authenticating when trying to reach the advertised printers. I'm not sure if that is clearly the cause, or if mDNS is still at play here.

The MacOS device needs to verify the address and establish connection to the printers, and it looks like it is doing it through a combination of unicast DNS and mDNS, but I'm a little fuzzy on how the DNS resolver tries to accomplish this on MacOS.

I will check the DNS records again and see if there is something that needs to be fixed or updated.

If anyone has any further insight on this, I would be forever in your debt.

8.10.0.10 is available since Feb and indeed it has a few airgroup fixes. You can check the release notes from HP Networking Support portal .

What version of ArubaOS are you running? If you search the discussion forums for the past 2 years, you'll find a few threads about my immense struggles with AirGroup. Ever since moving to Aruba OS 8, I've experienced everything that the original poster has mentioned. We upgraded to 8.10.0.8 last Summer and it completely broke AirPrint and we had to revert back to 8.7 which is where we remain today.

I was told that 8.10.0.10 contains some important fixes for AirGroup but I can't move to that until the Summer.

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

Hi.  I'm the one who started this old thread.  It appears I did resolve these issues.  First, I switched from Presto to Papercut Mobility print.  It's free or very reasonable with a support contract.  Their support people are also helpful.  I have not had to toggle a single MacBook Wi-Fi to print since switching.  Sorry Lanny.

The other issues with performance, in my opinion have also been resolved by switching Airgroup to Autoassociate "per-AP."  So the user will see all the Apple TV associated with the AP they are connected to and all it's neighbors.  In our environment, users see a list of about 7 Apple TV that are closest to them.  It works great.

The other thing I did was move my Apple TV to their own VLAN and role.  So when a user gets connected to the school Wi-Fi they get the employee role.  The Apple TV gets a new role called AppleTV, which puts them on their own VLAN.  I'm not sure if this is responsible for the added performance we see  but maybe it does.  The Apple TV used to be on the same VLAN as the employee devices.  I wonder if that matters.
I haven't received a Apple TV performance complaint all year. 

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

yes it is always a good practice to have the ATVs on their own subnet and their own role. This way you'll have a better control.

Hi.  I'm the one who started this old thread.  It appears I did resolve these issues.  First, I switched from Presto to Papercut Mobility print.  It's free or very reasonable with a support contract.  Their support people are also helpful.  I have not had to toggle a single MacBook Wi-Fi to print since switching.  Sorry Lanny.

The other issues with performance, in my opinion have also been resolved by switching Airgroup to Autoassociate "per-AP."  So the user will see all the Apple TV associated with the AP they are connected to and all it's neighbors.  In our environment, users see a list of about 7 Apple TV that are closest to them.  It works great.

The other thing I did was move my Apple TV to their own VLAN and role.  So when a user gets connected to the school Wi-Fi they get the employee role.  The Apple TV gets a new role called AppleTV, which puts them on their own VLAN.  I'm not sure if this is responsible for the added performance we see  but maybe it does.  The Apple TV used to be on the same VLAN as the employee devices.  I wonder if that matters.
I haven't received a Apple TV performance complaint all year. 

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

A few questions:

1. Is putting Apple TVs on their own VLAN/role really best practice as recommended by Aruba? If it makes things work better, then fantastic. I've just never seen it recommended as a best practice by Aruba.
2. What is the purpose of using a product like Presto or Papercut Mobility? The Aruba controllers are supposed to be managing access to AirGroup servers. 

yes it is always a good practice to have the ATVs on their own subnet and their own role. This way you'll have a better control.

Hi.  I'm the one who started this old thread.  It appears I did resolve these issues.  First, I switched from Presto to Papercut Mobility print.  It's free or very reasonable with a support contract.  Their support people are also helpful.  I have not had to toggle a single MacBook Wi-Fi to print since switching.  Sorry Lanny.

The other issues with performance, in my opinion have also been resolved by switching Airgroup to Autoassociate "per-AP."  So the user will see all the Apple TV associated with the AP they are connected to and all it's neighbors.  In our environment, users see a list of about 7 Apple TV that are closest to them.  It works great.

The other thing I did was move my Apple TV to their own VLAN and role.  So when a user gets connected to the school Wi-Fi they get the employee role.  The Apple TV gets a new role called AppleTV, which puts them on their own VLAN.  I'm not sure if this is responsible for the added performance we see  but maybe it does.  The Apple TV used to be on the same VLAN as the employee devices.  I wonder if that matters.
I haven't received a Apple TV performance complaint all year. 

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

Apple TVs on their own VLAN is what I've heard Apple recommends, and then relying on bluetooth discovery.

Presto and Papercut Mobility print allow clients to perform DNS-SD via unicast DNS zones instead of multicast DNS (which AirGroup controls). Eg I have reverse DNS records

b._dns-sd._udp.0                IN      PTR             0.0.20.10.pc-printer-discovery.
lb._dns-sd._udp.0               IN      PTR             0.0.20.10.pc-printer-discovery.

and pc-printer-discovery is set to forward to the Papercut server. See https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6763.html https://www.papercut.com/kb/Main/MobilityPrintDNSRecordExamples/ https://www.papercut.com/help/manuals/mobility-print/set-up/configure/discover-printers-dns/

A few questions:

1. Is putting Apple TVs on their own VLAN/role really best practice as recommended by Aruba? If it makes things work better, then fantastic. I've just never seen it recommended as a best practice by Aruba.
2. What is the purpose of using a product like Presto or Papercut Mobility? The Aruba controllers are supposed to be managing access to AirGroup servers. 

yes it is always a good practice to have the ATVs on their own subnet and their own role. This way you'll have a better control.

Hi.  I'm the one who started this old thread.  It appears I did resolve these issues.  First, I switched from Presto to Papercut Mobility print.  It's free or very reasonable with a support contract.  Their support people are also helpful.  I have not had to toggle a single MacBook Wi-Fi to print since switching.  Sorry Lanny.

The other issues with performance, in my opinion have also been resolved by switching Airgroup to Autoassociate "per-AP."  So the user will see all the Apple TV associated with the AP they are connected to and all it's neighbors.  In our environment, users see a list of about 7 Apple TV that are closest to them.  It works great.

The other thing I did was move my Apple TV to their own VLAN and role.  So when a user gets connected to the school Wi-Fi they get the employee role.  The Apple TV gets a new role called AppleTV, which puts them on their own VLAN.  I'm not sure if this is responsible for the added performance we see  but maybe it does.  The Apple TV used to be on the same VLAN as the employee devices.  I wonder if that matters.
I haven't received a Apple TV performance complaint all year. 

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?

I'm certainly not opposed to creating a new VLAN and moving all of our Apple TVs over to it if it's considered best practice by Apple. However, I've just never seen this documented anywhere. Do you have a source that you can link to?

Apple TVs on their own VLAN is what I've heard Apple recommends, and then relying on bluetooth discovery.

Presto and Papercut Mobility print allow clients to perform DNS-SD via unicast DNS zones instead of multicast DNS (which AirGroup controls). Eg I have reverse DNS records

b._dns-sd._udp.0                IN      PTR             0.0.20.10.pc-printer-discovery.
lb._dns-sd._udp.0               IN      PTR             0.0.20.10.pc-printer-discovery.

and pc-printer-discovery is set to forward to the Papercut server. See https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6763.html https://www.papercut.com/kb/Main/MobilityPrintDNSRecordExamples/ https://www.papercut.com/help/manuals/mobility-print/set-up/configure/discover-printers-dns/

A few questions:

1. Is putting Apple TVs on their own VLAN/role really best practice as recommended by Aruba? If it makes things work better, then fantastic. I've just never seen it recommended as a best practice by Aruba.
2. What is the purpose of using a product like Presto or Papercut Mobility? The Aruba controllers are supposed to be managing access to AirGroup servers. 

yes it is always a good practice to have the ATVs on their own subnet and their own role. This way you'll have a better control.

Hi.  I'm the one who started this old thread.  It appears I did resolve these issues.  First, I switched from Presto to Papercut Mobility print.  It's free or very reasonable with a support contract.  Their support people are also helpful.  I have not had to toggle a single MacBook Wi-Fi to print since switching.  Sorry Lanny.

The other issues with performance, in my opinion have also been resolved by switching Airgroup to Autoassociate "per-AP."  So the user will see all the Apple TV associated with the AP they are connected to and all it's neighbors.  In our environment, users see a list of about 7 Apple TV that are closest to them.  It works great.

The other thing I did was move my Apple TV to their own VLAN and role.  So when a user gets connected to the school Wi-Fi they get the employee role.  The Apple TV gets a new role called AppleTV, which puts them on their own VLAN.  I'm not sure if this is responsible for the added performance we see  but maybe it does.  The Apple TV used to be on the same VLAN as the employee devices.  I wonder if that matters.
I haven't received a Apple TV performance complaint all year. 

Hi, 

I have a very similar environment to you. I use Presto with Aruba Airgroup as well, although we are not currently using ClearPass. I consistently, but intermittently have the exact same issues you are describing.

I have had intermittent AppleTVs that disappear for specific users. But more importantly I am experiencing the same behaviors with printers advertised through Presto that disappear from specific user MacBooks without any reason.

I can usually fix this with a WiFi toggle or force quitting mDNSResponder and related Airplay / Airprint services on the MacOS device, but this too regular of an issue to keep addressing one at a time.

I am desperate to find a solution for this. 

Were you ever able to get this resolved? If so, Can you share some of your process?