Chromecast and Liahona

I know others have gotten Chromecast to work on the church's WiFi network, but I've been recently asked to help a seminary teacher get on.

I know about the NoSplash policy, but there seems to be something else. I'm guessing DNS issues.

Does the Chromecast device have to use "Manual" setup of IP to work?

I have one old Chromecast and one new Chromecast working in my meetinghouse. I had to factory reset them to ensure all previous networks were cleared from them, begin the setup, and then add them to the No Splash Policy. Then the setup could continue.

Hopefully folks don't think they can bring their personal Chromecast devices into the meetinghouse, as I believe they can only remember one network's settings. But I could certainly be wrong about that.

The device in question is a NC2-6A5 - a second generation "hockey puck" style device.

Adding it to the NoSplash helped things move forward, but it still had a "Check Internet connection" message from the device.

I didn't ask them to clear the prior network connections, I assumed they knew how to set it up.

I thought Chromecast was hard wired to use Google's DNS and the church system blocked all but it's own.

We recently had a funeral in a meetinghouse where the funeral home was handling the streaming of the service. They were using Chromecast and had trouble using the Liahona SSID. I turned on the Lehi SSID for them and they didn't have any more issues. (I was at work when this happened, so I wasn't able to see exactly what the device looked like.) Just a thought of something to try. Mahalo.

mcasay wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 5:22 pm We recently had a funeral in a meetinghouse where the funeral home was handling the streaming of the service. They were using Chromecast and had trouble using the Liahona SSID. I turned on the Lehi SSID for them and they didn't have any more issues.

That's a good idea for a one-off issue, but I'm dealing with a seminary teacher. Having to update the password and forwarding that on would be a hassle.

I'm also trying to connect a Chromecast for a TV in the Bishop's office. What is this NoSplash Policy you guys are talking about? I did the factory reset before trying to connect but only got the message saying it wouldn't connect. Any additional info would be much appreciated.

"NoSplash" allows the firewall to recognize a device by it's MAC address and not require the user to go though the splash screen agreeing to the terms and conditions for using the church network. It's intended for devices that are not able to process the screen.

I believe only the stake technology specialist has access to that function.

In addition to what russellhltn posted, the "No Splash" is only for wireless devices. If your TV can be connected via LAN cable, it will be automatically exempt. It goes without saying that sometimes that's not possible depending on the location of the nearest LAN jack.

My ward (Belfair WA) has never purchased its own chrome cast. I tried using one from home, prior to trying to get the Bishopric to buy one. This did not go well.
Does one have to use a new one and have it for ward building use only, to get it to work?

Is the Liahona wifi actually setup to block the use of the Chrome Cast?

Thanks
Kevin
Tech Specialist

The STS must enter the MAC address of the Chromecast into the No Splash Policy of the meetinghouse firewall. If you bring a used Chromecast into the meetinghouse, you must use the Google Home app on your phone to reset the Chromecast, and connect it to the meetinghouse Wi-Fi.

kevinjeanwoodland wrote: Sun Oct 09, 2022 10:49 pm Is the Liahona wifi actually setup to block the use of the Chrome Cast?

In a sense, yes. The firewall is setup to block any device not using the DNS address it hands out during the DHCP exchange. Many Chromecast devices have their DNS hardwired to Google (such as 8.8.8.8), so by firewall rule (which is unchangeable by us), it will not be allowed to access the Internet. I believe this is enough to break its ability to function properly even on the local LAN. Assigning it to "No Splash" won't change this.

Would that also prevent you from mirroring your phone screen to the Chromecast? I'm just wondering if I could mirror something that is saved locally on the phone without the Chromecast having to use DNS to go to the web to get it.

dawelker wrote: Wed Oct 12, 2022 3:59 pm Would that also prevent you from mirroring your phone screen to the Chromecast? I'm just wondering if I could mirror something that is saved locally on the phone without the Chromecast having to use DNS to go to the web to get it.

According to THIS article, simple mirroring is the only thing it can do without Internet access. I haven't tried it personally, but it looks like it might be possible.

I have the same or similar issue to what was described by htmrussell.

I had installed chromecast on two TVs in our stake center about a year ago and got them to work, using the no splash policy group. Somewhere along the line they stopped working. I tried to re-install but the chromecast software wanted to update but would not connect to the internet to do so. I took them home and got them to update and brought them back to the meetinghouse to re-install. Even though the mac addresses are in the no splash policy, and CNM and analiti show them connected to the Liahona network, chromecast will not connect to finish setup through the google Home app. Chromecast reports problems connecting and says to try a different SSID. I tried setting them up to use Lehi SSID and got the same result, unable to connect. CNM and analiti show it connected to the network, but chromecast says it cannot connect.

I have tried rebooting the firewall and re-setting the chromecast in various combinations. When I use an older chromecast power adapter that has an enet connector and allows an enet connection to the LAN, the chromecast works without any setup required. Unfortunatley, enet access is not close by to the TV, so I cannot leave cables strung across the classrooms.

I believe something about the firewall won't let the chromecast talk to the internet.

If this is a DNS issue or a firewall filtering issue, does anyone know how to resolve it?

I talked with GSC but dropped the request and decided to check the forum before I go back to GSC or email mhtech.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I have found a casting device on Amazon which solves this problem because it doesn't require a wifi connection. Simply plug the wireless HDMI adapter into a TV or projector and follow the onscreen instructions. So simple and no wifi needed on the device. The devices is compatible with Apple iOS, Android, MAC and Windows.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4L ... UTF8&psc=1