How do I troubleshoot issues that appear on one of our VLANs?

[Zezima]

Hi,

 

We are a school using a Pixton (a comic book creator webapp) and have found an issue when kids record using their microphone..

 

We have two VLANs which both show up as wireless networks (StaffWifi and StudentWifi). The StaffWifi was our only wireless network and you have to configure the proxy settings once you've connected. The StudentWifi is behind a Transparent proxy, so kids can just connect with their chromebooks and be connected to the internet..

 

When kids are on pixton and they try to record using the in-built mic on the chromebook, it gives an error saying "oops your recording could not be saved" but if you switch to the StaffWifi, it works!

 

would Anyone know how I would go about troubleshooting this? I know how the network works sort of works in theory, but never actually had to troubleshoot a VLan/wlan/transparent proxy. Im doing this partly as a learning curve.

 

Thanks,

[Davit2005]

If you use wireshark and see where the device is trying to connect to externally maybe you can overide on the proxy server.

[andydis]

what is the Transparent proxy ? smooth wall?

[Zezima]

Ah,btw i forgot to mention that the proxy server isn't managed by us, we connect to the hertfordshire grid proxy server. I think because of this i cant use wireshark? from memory i ithkn it just shows you that all the data is sent to the proxy?

 

And would it be a proxy issue related the proxy itself? if you are on the StaffWifi VLAN and are on the same proxy (just not transparent) it works prefectly fine...

 

(i will try wireshark again when back at my desk though)

[andydis]

to me it sounds like a rule on the transparent proxy now allowing the connection, I would contact hertfordshire grid helpdesk to get them to look into it.

[Davit2005]

From previous experience I hope the service has improved, good luck.

 

Wireshark should tell you what web site or ip address the software is trying to communicate too, you can install on another machine, Install pixton, try and record and monitor wireshark.

 

Had to do this a few times in the past.

 

Then pass to HGfL and keep your fingers crossed.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Davit2005

[Zezima]

We are using Zonedirector 1100 Ruckus for our WLANS... im looking on their now and cant find anything about the VLANs.. although i have found that the Student WLAN is VLAN ID 20 and the staff WLAN is VLAN ID 1...

 

Where are VLans usually configured from? Would it be somewhere on this Zonedirector 1100 or would it be from somewhere else?

[Davit2005]

From memory the AP's would be configured with the SSID to vLAN mapping but this is normally done via the ZoneDirector. Edited April 1, 2015 by Davit2005

[andydis]

Zezima,

I am confident your problem is not VLAN related, it is related to the transparent proxy you have already mentioned is not managed by you.

 

There will be a ruleset on the proxy for "staff" (not strict) to access content and another ruleset for the "students" (strict) , the strict ruleset is stopping the connection.

You will have to speak to the managed proxy tech support to resolve this issue.

[Zezima]

Zezima,

I am confident your problem is not VLAN related, it is related to the transparent proxy you have already mentioned is not managed by you.

 

There will be a ruleset on the proxy for "staff" (not strict) to access content and another ruleset for the "students" (strict) , the strict ruleset is stopping the connection.

You will have to speak to the managed proxy tech support to resolve this issue.

 

Oh, okay. So i think the confusion ive had is i thought the "transparent proxy" is set up on the switch (so like.. i imagined a "configure proxy for VLAN ID 20" textbox for the main switch and you would give it a proxy URL). It sounds like the transparent proxy is a system set up on the proxy server itself? That would explain why I remember there being talking of "opening" ports when it was being set up..

 

Ill give them a call after lunch and post back.