Next to mDNS, a ClickShare device discovery can also happen via Bluetooth beacon. This enables the ClickShare devices to use an Apple standard that allows AirPlay senders to more easily find eligible AirPlay receivers. In this article, we will share some more information on this.
Bluetooth beacon is supported on CS(E)-series devices starting from version 1.09 and on CX-series and C-series devices starting from version 2.8.
To find AirPlay receivers, AirPlay senders normally use Apple Bonjour to scan their network using a specific protocol, mDNS. In some networks, this protocol is blocked or restricted to a certain part of the network. So if a receiver is in a part of the network that can’t be accessed by the sender with mDNS, the AirPlay receiver does not end up in the list of available devices. Even if sharing should actually be possible but really only mDNS is restricted.
Bluetooth beacon helps with this by allowing AirPlay senders to find AirPlay receivers via Bluetooth. The receiver’s network information is exchanged and checked, and after this, the receiver is listed as a valid receiver.
Bluetooth can work in this way up to about 10m, depending on the environment. Also note that the Bluetooth beacon will only contain the wired IP, if connected.
Barco’s ClickShare devices implement this functionality but the protocol is controlled by Apple. To test if this particular functionality is working as expected:
- Make sure your AirPlay sender can access the Airplay receiver over the network (try to open the ClickShare device’s web page, via the wired IP)
- Make sure mDNS is blocked in the network between the sender and receiver (contact your IT department for more information on this)
- If the sender finds the receiver, the Bluetooth beacon is working as intended.
- If the sender can’t find the receiver, please contact your IT department to further investigate.
If you have any questions or suspect any problems, please perform initial verification and troubleshooting on the following:
- Make sure that your Base Unit is up-to-date. If not, upgrade it with its latest firmware. how to: see KB 5017.
- Make sure that all the required ports are opened, for details see KB 4130.
- Make sure that both the sender and receiver are on the same VLAN network.
