Anyone elese experiencing issues with LGfL Internet access?

[fiza]

Since yesterday we have had issues with internet access with LGfL. Yesterday it was very slow and the reason given by LGfL was that many more schools than normal were streaming video and media rich content for the end of term!

Today we have had patchy access for the last 45 minutes.

[Cat_Jam148]

We had 10 mins of downtime around 9:05

 

We still had internet access, but no web pages were loading. I did get a glimpse at one of the messages and it looked like an issue with one of their filtering policy servers.

 

I will say since Wavenet have acquired Atomwide (The people who did all networking for LGLF), the service has been a little bit more sporadic and downtime seems to happen more often. For a time, cases raised on the portal were taking days to get a response.

[Face-Man]

email response from LGFL

 

"I want to apologise for the internet issues you may have experienced over the last two days. We are seeing unprecedented levels of demand at the end of term. We are taking urgent steps to address this including emergency increases in network capacity.

 

John Jackson, CEO LGfL "

 

Or in the tradition of Scooby doo "We would of gotten away with if it wasn't for the pesky teachers streaming content at the end of term"

[JohnJackson]

Our traffic flows at the moment are really challenging. I'm not trying to duck it. However, we're looking to double capacity in some areas this evening. I could be a kill joy and switch off streaming but I am determined , if at all possible, to meet need

[JohnJackson]

Obviously I'm disappointed by events recently and please be assured , in the background, a lot is being done which I've been planning to launch in the new year. I will send out a letter to schools announcing tens of millions of investment over the next few years in connectivity, safeguarding and cybersecurity. However, I have to agree, unless the basics are functioning well , its the Emperors New Clothes. I will sort this out and it hurts to know the technical teams are getting clobbered at the moment because of this.

[ckedu-local]

Had super slow speeds this afternoon. Took me almost 2.5 hours to download iPadOS to get 1 iPad wiped!

[JohnJackson]

I'm very disappointed to read this and its a problem we've never had to deal with. I'm very proud of the fact that we never block streaming services. I want schools to be empowered. Last night upgrades were made that have made a difference. Tonight the Teams are working all night to increase capacity even further. I promise we'll do whatever it takes to resolve this and invest whatever is needed. According to our tech partners , they are witnessing seeing some of the biggest IP Transit loading that they've experienced globally. The level of investment going into emergency resolution is vast. I've also been given access to some of the top networking techs around and friends are offering to help out. Everyone wants to help and I'm so grateful for that. If there is a case reference, I'm happy to get your specific school looked out.

[fiza]

Aaand it’s down again!!!!

@JohnJackson - any kind of notification on the support site letting us know you are aware would help.

 

I have to say this is very unlike LGfL as we have always had a rock solid connection in the past.

[JohnJackson]

The new hardware failed. You can imagine the conversations I'm having with my suppliers. Please accept my sincere apologies. I am genuinely very sorry. The entire exec team team from the supplier being pulled together right now. If anyone wants to contact me , then please do here or on Twitter. Edited December 15, 2023 by JohnJackson

[Edu-IT]

Has this now been remedied?

[JohnJackson]

We've had an international technical team working on this today and have identified what happened. Careful consideration is being given as to next steps and a number of people, many of you are familiar with, are working around the clock and over the weekend.

[JohnJackson]

Fiza, it will be rock solid again very soon. You have my absolute commitment to that. It hurts , as a educationalist, we've had these problems. I also have a MASSIVE announcement to make on LGfL's network imminently ... However, I want to be clear, I am sorry about what you've had to deal with. Edited December 15, 2023 by JohnJackson

[JohnJackson]

Ideally, we will reintroduce the additional capacity again before the new term and potentially over the Christmas break. However, I'll give Edugeek an exclusive - LGfL has decided to not only raise its capacity in the core - in the new year I'm about to change everything. Schools will never have to worry about bandwidth and speed again. Its an Edugeek exclusive as I respect you guys the most.

[Edu-IT]

Ideally, we will reintroduce the additional capacity again before the new term and potentially over the Christmas break. However, I'll give Edugeek an exclusive - LGfL has decided to not only raise its capacity in the core - in the new year I'm about to change everything. Schools will never have to worry about bandwidth and speed again. Its an Edugeek exclusive as I respect you guys the most.

Speed upgrades for schools?

[ITGURU]

emPSN have just been upgrading backhaul links from 1gb to 10gb and seen a big performance increase especially with Outlook non cached mode.

One of our schools filter with LGFL but go via empsn and route through LGFL and wasn't aware or any reports of speed issues.

[Zoom7000]

I could be a kill joy and switch off streaming...

 

If it's Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Spotify or other consumer streaming services, then I think you should be a kill joy and switch it off. These services are not authorised for use in schools (except in very limited circumstances).

 

Block by default and give schools the option to switch them on again. That option should be put behind the agreement wall that can be authorised only by the Headteacher, much like Remote Access Services.

[thebatman]

Has anyone had issues today with there LGfL connection?

Our VoIP system is working, we are able to ping websites but we have slow to no Web access.

Before I raise a case, just wanted to see if others are having the same issue.

[willtech]

Ours seems ok but we are NGFL

[JohnJackson]

Hi everyone. Sorry for the late response. My parents and family are visiting for the first time since COVID and sods law I was out today. Over the holidays we reintroduced the new "world class" equipment that had failed prior to Christmas having been given assurances all was well, checked etc. To be fair , all was well for the entire holiday until today. I've cut the holiday short and having had some pretty robust and deeply technical discussions today, I'm confident we won't see a repeat of todays root cause and can only apologise to you and everyone affected.