Accessing the Microsoft VLSC via embc - intermittent problems?

[kaphc]

I'm having real problems trying to access Microsoft's Volume Licensing Service Centre from our school site running the embc broadband service. We're on an EES license now so the site is pretty crucial!

 

I could get in intermittently on Tuesday and Wednesday, but had no access at all yesterday or today. The problem seems to be as soon as I try and log in via a Windows Live account and at that point I get an error message regarding the website's security certificate. Interestingly, I've just tried it again to be more specific about the error and this time it's let me sign in!!

 

Has anyone else found this issue and is there a way round it so that I can get in first time, every time? I've got a call logged with our County helpdesk, but would be interested to hear others' experiences.

[smalls001]

Try turning proxy off before you click the sign in button.

[smalls001]

But you will have to turn it back on before downloading anything..

[kaphc]

Cheers, I'll give that a go as a workaround .... County IT advised me to add the VLSC URL as a trusted site. I also added the Windows Live sign-in page URL as well. So far, it's worked twice OK for me, but just tested it again and I'm back to the security certificate page instead of the Windows Live sign-in.

[smalls001]

it's because the signin page goes to live.com address which is filtered. when i get the the security ceritificate page i turn the proxy off and refresh page, this works everytime..

[tommej]

Thought it was just me! Cheers!

[kaphc]

I've spoken to Derbyshire County IT again this morning to request the Windows Live Sign-in be added as a permitted site at Level 1. Apparently they have received a few other similar requests over the last few days and have passed this issue onto Synetrix as a request. I'll post on here again as and when I hear anything back.

[sparkeh]

Yes, Yes and YES!

Had this problem for a long time now. Have been working with Synetrix to resolve the matter for a while as its not just a case of adding it to the allow list. There is possibly an issue with secure sites in general (its not only this site that is a problem).

Will report back when I have more info.

[kaphc]

Ah, it's never as simple as you think is it?! Well the contact I've been dealing with at Derbyshire County IT Services will be on the case with Synetrix as well, so hopefully that won't duplicate the work already done. Yes please to any updates as and when you get them. Thanks.

[sparkeh]

Ok had an update on this.

The issue is to do with filtering, how secure sites are handled and the mismatching of addresses (if you check the cert of the site you are trying to access you might find that the address of the site the cert is for does not match the address you are trying to access).This is being worked on but currently there is no solution but there is a workaround.

 

So, to test this go to the MSVLC site we are having problems with and you will find you cannot access the login page, login to embc portal and restest (you still can't access login page), go to a site you know is blocked (eg Online Casino & Online Poker Room - 888.com) and notice the block page displays your username and filtering level, try to access the login page and and it should work!

 

Apparently the process of trying to access a blocked page jogs the system into sorting itself out.

[kaphc]

Ah that's interesting.

 

Though I went to test it and got into the VLSC first time with no errors (though I promise I haven't tried visiting any blocked sites this morning 'cos I'm a good girl, me!) but I'll bear that in mind as another workaround until we get a definitive fix.