The right ASUS RT-N56U settings for AirPlay?

This article is on firmware version 3.0.0.4.360 and first published on 12/Jul/2013.

I have been having problem with Apple AirPlay feature especially with Apple TV when I have source devices connected to the 5 GHz band of the RT-N56U.

The problem is less severe on my MacBook Air than what I have experienced on an iPhone and an iPad.  What'd happened is that the source devices will not discover AirPlay destination devices on the network.  This means they cannot stream multimedia data to the AirPlay devices.

The fix I usually do is to disconnect these source devices from the 5 GHz band and connect them to the 2.4 GHz band, or reconnect to the same 5 GHz band.  The AirPlay devices then automatically show up.  The 2.4 GHz band is slightly more stable than the 5 GHz band, although both will disappear eventually (perhaps a night or 2 later).

I read somewhere that AirPlay devices are using the Multicast feature to broadcast their presence.  I'm not sure if this is causing incompatibility with the router but I'm just guessing that this ASUS 'advanced' router may be trying to save energy by disconnecting/disabling/filtering some network traffic.

Now I would like to fix it permanently.  What I have done is setting these in the Wireless - Professional page (firmware version 3.0.0.4.360):

• Enable wireless scheduler - No (default was "Yes") - I don't think this is causing the problem but just want to disable it regardless
• Enable IGMP Snooping - Enable (default was "Disable") - edit: 4/Oct/2013 - this seems to be the only setting that matters
• WMM DLS - Enable (default was "Disable") - edit 04/Oct/2013 - it seems that this setting is irrelevant

I have these set about 3 days ago.  So far it's been stable.  I hope this will last.

Update on 11-Aug-2013: I can see that my AirPlay devices are definitely staying visible more permanently.  I think perhaps in 1 occasion during past couple of weeks I upgraded the firmware on the RT-N56U, Apple TV disappeared on a 2.4 GHz band - My Apple TV is permanently on the 5 GHz band - I just apply the same settings mentioned above on the 2.4 GHz and restarted the router.  It's been working well since.

Update on 13-Nov-2018:  If you want to help me financially, even if it's just a little, I thank you!

Windows Azure - my first more detailed look into it

I have got some time to look at the cloud services provided by Microsoft - the Windows Azure services. Seriously this name actually gives me an impression that it is some kind of video games. Probably because it reminds me of an old RPG game called 'Curse of the Azure Bonds'. Maybe some know it is based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe. I even have a story book on that.

Anyway the Windows Azure provides something-as-a-service (SaaS), anything-as-a-service (AaaS), ...the as-a-service concept.  It has virtual platform services, mobile services, database services, web sites, just to name a few.  Individual developers will like these.  It gives them access to wide range of expensive infrastructure services to perform some proof-of-concepts application developments.  Oh I should mention that it gives a 90-day free-trial for anyone who signs up.

I have to try that out one day...