The Time Machine feature of Apple requires uses mDNS and hence requires mDNS services to be configured on the IAP when Airgroup is enabled. We need to customize the configuration of Airgroup services to allow the storage server or time capsule to be discovered on IAPs and hence Mac OS clients will be able to backup to these devices.
Time Machine is the built-in backup feature of OS X that works with our Macbooks and an external drive, network storage or AirPort Time Capsule. Time Machine automatically backs up the entire Mac including system files, documents and applications.
The time capsule or network storage server must publish an mDNS service with a type of "_adisk._tcp" and this service includs a TXT record necessary for sharing.
We can find more information regarding this feature in the Apple write up here:
https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/NetworkingInternetWeb/Conceptual/TimeMachineNetworkInterfaceSpecification/TimeMachineRequirements/TimeMachineRequirements.html
Environment :
Any Aruba IAPs that support Airgroup.
Mac OSX clients.
Airport time capsure or Network Storage Servers using AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) share points.
Network Topology : IAPs in one cluster with Network Storage in the same or different VLAN.
Following Steps are to be followed on the IAP Virtual Controller:
GUI:
Navigate to More>Services>Airgroup at the top right.
1) Enable “sharing”.
2) Add a custom service with service id’s “_airport._tcp” and “_adisk._tcp”. Then enable the service.
Check "Sharing" and click "New" to create a new service.
Create a new server name say "timecapsule" and click ok.
Select the new service "timecapsule" and click "New" under Servic ID to create custom service IDs.
Reference CLI configuration:
airgroup
enable
airgroupservice airplay
disable
description AirPlay
airgroupservice airprint
disable
description AirPrint
airgroupservice sharing
enable
airgroupservice timecapsule
enable
_airport._tcp
_adisk._tcp
With the above configuration we will be able to backup my MacBook pro to Network Storage Server or Time capsule.
Verify the airgroup service entries are added correctly:
show airgroupservice
AirGroupService Details
-----------------------
Service Description Status Disallowed-Role Disallowed-VLAN ID #query-hits #servers
------- ----------- ------ --------------- --------------- -- ----------- --------
airplay AirPlay Disabled _airplay._tcp 4 0
_raop._tcp 4 0
_appletv-v2._tcp 0 0
airprint AirPrint Disabled _ipp._tcp 0 0
_pdl-datastream._tcp 0 0
_printer._tcp 0 0
_scanner._tcp 0 0
_universal._sub._ipp._tcp 0 0
_universal._sub._ipps._tcp 0 0
_printer._sub._http._tcp 0 0
_http._tcp 0 0
_http-alt._tcp 0 0
_ipp-tls._tcp 0 0
_fax-ipp._tcp 0 0
_riousbprint._tcp 0 0
_cups._sub._ipp._tcp 0 0
_cups._sub._fax-ipp._tcp 0 0
_ica-networking._tcp 0 0
_ptp._tcp 0 0
_canon-bjnp1._tcp 0 0
_ipps._tcp 0 0
_ica-networking2._tcp 0 0
itunes iTunes Disabled _home-sharing._tcp 0 0
_apple-mobdev._tcp 0 0
_daap._tcp 0 0
_dacp._tcp 0 0
remotemgmt Remote management Disabled _ssh._tcp 0 0
_sftp-ssh._tcp 0 0
_ftp._tcp 0 0
_telnet._tcp 0 0
_rfb._tcp 11 0
_net-assistant._tcp 0 0
AirGroupService Details
-----------------------
Service Description Status Disallowed-Role Disallowed-VLAN ID #query-hits #servers
------- ----------- ------ --------------- --------------- -- ----------- --------
sharing Sharing Enabled _odisk._tcp 0 0
_afpovertcp._tcp 11 0
_xgrid._tcp 0 0
chat Chat Disabled _presence._tcp 0 0
allowall Remaining-Services Disabled _acp-sync._tcp 0 0
_file._sub._smb._tcp 0 0
_smb._tcp 11 0
_net-assistant._udp 0 0
_eppc._tcp 0 0
timecapsule Enabled _airport._tcp 4 0
_adisk._tcp 11 0
Num Services:8
Num Service-ID:43
end of show airgroupservice
We can see the airgroup cache entries for the airport and adisk services:
show airgroup cache entries
Cache Entries
-------------
Name Type Class TTL Origin Expiry Last Update
---- ---- ----- --- ------ ------ -----------
_airport._tcp.local PTR IN 4500 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
_adisk._tcp.local PTR IN 4500 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server.local AAAA IN 120 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server.local A IN 120 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server._adisk._tcp.local SRV/NBSTAT IN 120 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server._adisk._tcp.local TXT IN 4500 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server._airport._tcp.local SRV/NBSTAT IN 120 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
server._airport._tcp.local TXT IN 4500 10.105.70.240 Foreign Wed Jun 11 10:24:14 2014
end of show airgroup cache entries
Also, the client can now see the network storage disk and backup to it on their Macbooks.
Client Pcap will show mDNS query and responses for the configured sharing and airport/adisk services for sharing disks on Mac OSX. Following are a couple of examples:
Airport service:
AFP_over_TCP:
