Mesh Stack throws NRF_MESH_EVT_SAR_FAILED when LPN replies to a publication set message via friend node

[sirio]

The stock LPN client for Mesh SDK v4.0.0 throws NRF_MESH_EVT_SAR_FAILED when replying to a publication set message via a friend node.

All code, reproduction data and log output is here: https://github.com/siriobalmelli/nrf_mesh_4.0.0_lpn_SAR

I also tried to implement the suggested answer from this thread:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/51486/mesh-sar-time-out 

... this did not work, see this commit:

https://github.com/siriobalmelli/nrf_mesh_4.0.0_lpn_SAR/commit/71b4037cf40857351eaf23773783b9314b43bda7

Thank you.

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

Have you made any modification to the LPN example?

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this will make any difference but could you also try using our nRF Mesh app instead of the BubblyNet app? Any difference?

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

It seems like your mobile is still connected to the LPN via GATT even after LPN has established the friendship (Note that, after the provisioning and configuration, the mobile remains connected to the node, unless you disconnect it explicitly). There is a known issue with LPN that when LPN is in friendship with Friend Node, a connected GATT device receives packets encrypted with the wrong encryption key. Therefore, the response to the Model Publication Set is not understood by the mobile app, and hence it fails.

Try to configure the LPN node via Friend node. Disconnect the mobile app from LPN, and explicitly connect to Friend proxy node. Then try configuring the LPN node via Friend node. This should work.

[sirio]

Thank you.

Please see https://github.com/siriobalmelli/nrf_mesh_4.0.0_lpn_SAR/blob/master/README.md#reproduce-mesh-lpn-friendship-sar-bug step 2.

I am making sure that GATT is not connected:

1. On BubblyNet App by clicking "disable proxy" after provisioning

2. On nRF Mesh App by manually changing to the light server as a proxy so messages *must* go through LPN

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

We have tried to reproduce the issue on our side, and haven't had any luck. One of our developer checked-out the your repo, modified the example name RTT output and tested the LPN example. He did not see the SAR_FAILED event. He used NRF Mesh Android app version 1.2.1. Have you tried with a different phone? Both Android and iOS?

[sirio]

Thank you for looking into this.

Unfortunately I was unable to get my hands on an Android device to test from there.

I did try different model iPhones and they behave differently ... on an 8 the bug shows every time, on an XR the problem does not appear at all.

Up to your best judgement whether this is a bug in the mesh stack, a bug in the iOS library or something else?

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

One of our developer was able to reproduce this issue but in a different way. He noticed this issue after provisioning the LPN using Android app. The app was not able to fetch the Device Composition Data. However, he noticed that the issue went away after he restarted his phone and it did not appear to come back. After this, he put the LPN in friendship with Friend and was able to configure publication via a friend.

This doesn't seem to be a stack issue. It seems like there could be an issue how the Mesh mobile apps are handling GATT communications or it could also be iOS library issue.

[sirio]

Thank you very much for your help - closing this.

If you feel anything else needs to be done please reopen :)