SWGfL Internet connections

[sdc]

May be of use to some to know that SWGfL are currently experiencing issues with their unfiltered internet access. Everything (regardless of proxy setting) is filtered at present. They have no ETA for a fix, either...!

[MrEprise]

At least i'm not the only one experiencing this problem - had to unfilter edugeek in order to get here.

 

I'm really hoping they sort it soon, makes shopping for new servers a tiny bit difficult. Think i'm gonna have to unfilter a proxy site just to do some work.

[sdc]

They've let us down quite a bit with our connection; I've dropped hints this morning that I may be looking elsewhere for an ISP.

[Dos_Box]

Moved to SWGfL forum.

[jmcdermott]

we too are having this problem which now means none of my linux servers are receiving any updates.

[philjones2000]

My only problem is the constant phone ringing with staff members sheepishly asking why they can't get facebook.

[pete]

My only problem is the constant phone ringing with staff members sheepishly asking why they can't get facebook.

 

"The head has asked for performance-related Facebook access, work harder and you'll be able to use it again."

[MrEprise]

My only problem is the constant phone ringing with staff members sheepishly asking why they can't get facebook.

 

Our current policy is that our staff members are not permitted unfiltered access and that the filtered proxy address is set each time they log in.

 

What I didn't know - until recently, when it was highlighted by one of our techs - that a few staff members had been changing the proxy address to the unfiltered one and going onto a whole host of disallowed websites (facebook, youtube, etc...) without our knowledge. That's one hole I had to fix rather quickly!

[Thesweeney]

Tell me about it... Phone hasn't stopped...!! No matter how many times you tell them there is nothing we can do about it, they still bleat on about 'Why haven't YOU fixed it yet..?' GGGGAAAAAAAAAAAA

 

The connection is up and down like a toms underkecks here, bl@@dy annoying!!

[sdc]

We have filtered across the site - for both staff and students, and neither have access to change this. Only technical staff have unfiltered for downloading patches, accessing resources such as Edugeek, etc.

[philjones2000]

I found that I was getting so many requests for unblocking sites like youtube for valid educational reasons that it was just better to give them unfiltered access. There are some that spend a little more time on facebook than it's healthy but generally it's fine.

[localzuk]

We have a site wide policy of filtered access. There's no need for a 2 tier system, as we are supposed to be setting an example to the kids - so stuff they aren't allowed to go on, we aren't allowed to go on.

 

Seems to work nicely - only the occasional issue with teachers finding their favourite site blocked but that's it.

[K.C.Leblanc]

Same problem here, also last week the connection between the hub school and the grid died. Luckily it was half term, but it did still mean no one could access terminal services.

 

Do people know that the unfiltered proxy is being disconntinued anyway. You should be moving your staff over to SWGfL staff proxy (which requires users to authenticate when they need unfiltered access).

[jmcdermott]

It is true! it is not coming back!

 

But when asking the tech support team at SWGFL how i get my Linux server to log into the staff proxy website then enter a username and password from the terminal because it does not use any browser or front end, you can guess how useful the answer was.

[K.C.Leblanc]

It is true! it is not coming back!

 

The impression I got was that it was coming back and that this is definatly a fault. However it will be abolished soon.

 

We had the LEA chap who deals with the SWGfL in our office the other day, he said there would be a proxy for updates.

[jmcdermott]

proxy for updates has been around for a while but it is only for windows updates.

[TheScarfedOne]

We had fun and games a few weeks back with the mail feed to our Exchange server. Packets were randomly being dropped before reaching the mx at the grid. This has been a very bad year for SWGFL connection reliability. We likewise are also looking at other options. Who's going to the meeting on 3rd Dec in Tiverton?? Another grilling in order for them??

 

Edit We also had the "no connection" problem when our hub school died, the day it came back on we got the bill! (thankfully they nulled it for this year)

[jmcdermott]

Has anyone out there succesfully integrated a standard broadband package into there school (for backup purposes)? Or found someone else to use instead of swgfl.

[TheScarfedOne]

Personally, no but it shoudnt be too difficult. At the end of the day, this is how corporates operate? The main concern for us would be meeting the regulations for filtering - but there are suggestions around the site on various solutions.... SmoothWall, Bloxx etc...

 

Im keen to find out more too - so anyone with experience, or knows someone who has, info please!! How do independant schools get their connection?

[localzuk]

As far as I know, contracts that schools and LEAs sign with SWGfL specify that you aren't allowed to install a second, non SWGfL line...

[philjones2000]

Tried the staffproxy route- can't see my users being too enamoured with having to go to login.staffproxy and remembering another user name and password to put in. Anyway to automate it?

 

Is the unfiltered proxy really going away? Seems like they have been talking about that for at least a year or two now?

[TheScarfedOne]

Yep - unfiltered is definately going byebye. We've (my techs) have been using StaffProxy for about 6 months. It has its niggles - more so at the moment! UpdateProxy goes on the blick too everynow and then.

[sdc]

can't see my users being too enamoured with having to go to login.staffproxy and remembering another user name and password to put in.

 

Agreed...!

 

I'm intrigued by the suggestion of a contractual restriction to only the SWGfL link - what about the (seemingly very sensible) installation of a backup Internet link via another ISP? Maybe with a Watchguard or similar device to control fail-over?

[localzuk]

Agreed...!

 

I'm intrigued by the suggestion of a contractual restriction to only the SWGfL link - what about the (seemingly very sensible) installation of a backup Internet link via another ISP? Maybe with a Watchguard or similar device to control fail-over?

 

From what i've been told (and has been mentioned on here a few times), you are allowed a backup link, but that link must be with the SWGfL also.

[atfnet]

Hi All,

 

I think WE ALL need to make it clear the staff proxy and update proxy is not the way to go. The update proxy only has MS and SIMS and virus sites enabled, so any software that has automatic update will now fail, also we have no way of adding sites directly.

 

I rang SWGFL and Vivki Gardrener (Managed Service Manager) and asked for a list of sites available on the update proxy... still waiting. I was asked for a list of URLs i would like unblocked to allow updating of software, I tried to explain this is a none starter due to the sheer amount of different software.

 

If the staff proxy system used an inline url proxy username and password

e.g username.staffproxy.swgfl.org.uk then I could at least update non standard software and do my job more effectively (I do understand this is less secure).

 

If you are unhappy about the unfiltered proxy and the way it was switched off with no warning (well muttered about two years ago).

 

Please contact Vivki Gardrener (Managed Service Manager SWGFL)[email protected] or phone 01392 381371

 

 

Thanks Andy