Network feud leads to Net blackout

Two major Internet backbone companies are feuding, potentially cutting off significant swaths of the Internet for some of each other's customers.

On Wednesday, network company Level 3 Communications cut off its direct "peering" connections to another big network company called Cogent Communications. That technical action means that some customers on each company's network now will find it impossible, or slower, to get to Web sites on the other company's network.

William Steele, a senior network engineer for Syncro Services, said his company noticed the problem Wednesday morning.

"There are some people I can't send an e-mail to," Steele said. "At home, I have Road Runner as an ISP, and wasn't even able to remotely connect in order to manage our servers."

The Internet's wobbly legs
Blackout shows Net's fragility

A dispute between major Internet backbone companies has selectively shut down e-mail and Web sites for many online.

"Peering" arrangements are maintained by network companies that agree to connect their networks directly together to exchange traffic more efficiently. When the companies are of roughly equal size, money rarely exchanges hands.

Level 3 contends that its arrangement with Cogent is no longer financially viable, since it is larger than the other company. It has asked Cogent to seek other arrangements, possibly including paying for the traffic exchange, a Level 3 representative said.

Cogent CEO Dave Schaeffer contested that claim, saying that its network is at least as big as Level 3's, and that it makes no sense to pay for the connection. Cogent is offering any Level 3 user who can't get to Cogent sites free Internet service for a year, in an attempt to attract its rival's customers.

"Our goal is to have this problem go away, whether through Level 3 reconsidering or their customers coming to us," Schaeffer said.

The Level 3 representative said the company was unlikely to reconsider its position, however.

The problem is likely to affect only a small number of each company's customers. Many network company customers have several connections to the Internet and can use an alternate connection to reach a site that might otherwise be blocked.

A similar Net blackout happened in 2001, when Cable & Wireless and PSINet were embroiled in a billing dispute.

Load of Bull

I've been having a problem with this too...when is all of this going to be fixed? I contacted RoadRunner, and all they said were that they were "restructuring" their network and all of that, and they have no clue when it's all going to be said and done. Personally, I think this is all a bunch of bull, and a bunch of bull that is costing me, and a lot of other's I know, money.

Corporate idiocy

This something like I see little kids indulge in on a playground.

"Im going to take my ball and go home."

[killerpenguinz]

This is Just Horrid

It took me 5 hours on the telephone to get an answer out of TimeWarner / Brighthouse, and i ended up telling my district what was going on.

I called Cogent, and Cogent said it was Level 3. I call level 3 and demand to know why they wont turn it back on and stop costing me money, and they pretty much said "We want money now" so apparently one of their CEO's needs a pay raise.

Too bad... Our company is thinking about filing legal action against Level 3 for their actions. We have been down since 5:44 AM EST and counting. Someone will have to pay for our business interruption, and it sure as much won't be us.

At least Cogent isn't backing down, and as a customer of Cogent (Servers in Dallas, i Work them from Orlando RoadRunner Lit Location) i respect their stance. I think Level 3 is just mining for money at this point.

Info please...the bush is dead, stop beating it

What I'd also like to know is HOW we are supposed to get the alternate connections. Our RoadRunner, I believe, is set up on one path. I'm not sure how to get it to go on the "alternate" path, at least not from where I am. If anyone knows, let me, and anyone who reads this, know.

[bbatsell]

BGP?

Um, isn't BGP4 supposed to make these kinds of things pretty
much completely unimportant (with the exception of a couple of
increased hops)? I don't understand how any Level3 customers
wouldn't be able to reach Cogent or vice versa - their packets
should simply route through a secondary carrier in between the two
networks.

[OneWithTech]

A lesson to be learned

If there is any lesson to be learned here for both companies, it is this:

Don't ever think you can relie on a joint partnership like this to last. You first mode of defense is a good offence.

Neither of these companies had though that the other would try to do them wrong. The fact is that this is a money driven society.

Level 3, in the act of business, has decided that this partnership has reached a turning point and it's is not an even partnership, but rather an uneven partnership. Hence the need for change.

The lesson:
Always have a backup plan. Both of these companies should of never relied on there partnership a %100.

Having a plan B, a backup plan, doesn't just pertain to football! A backup plan would of ensured a smooth transaction in this case. Instead you have to publicly announce that you want the competitors clients because they cut off your line.

Maybe both of these managers should head back to the classroom. Business 101 maybe!

Justin

Those in the middle getting screwed

I own a web design business and an Internet Radio station. I have clients for the web design business that have been calling for the last 20 hours demanding to know why they can't see their own website from their home or work. I've got listeners sending me mail from yahoo or hotmail about not being able to listen. I've got advertisers screaming at me for not being able to deliver.

I don't even have RoadRunner nor is it available here in Rochester, MN or Madison, WI where I just moved from.

So, we are caught in the middle of a turf war that does not even affect us from an ISP standpoint.

Class Action lawsuits are nice and all, but I need resolution NOW and not in 2 - 6 months when things go to trial.

There is no way I can contact the 3,000 or so listeners I get an hour to tell them to please change their ISP and find a backbone that works. There is no way I can make all my clients get their customers to switch to a ISP that has Level 3.

Perhaps things like this can be handled via the US Gov't in the same way the railroad strikes in the past were handled because it's got a deep impact on commerce and while things are flowing normaly there are discussions with a goverment mediator involved. I know the gov't has no ownership but then again there was no ownership with the railroad companies or airlines when PATCO did a walkout that had crippled the air travel industry in 1981.

Thanks,
Chris J. Popp
9412 - The Rock Station
www.9412.com

[cgamboak]

UN should be the administrator.

today a company tomorrow a city a country. The network must be free to all

[jane colorado]

Earthlink Affected?

Does anyone know if Earthlink has been affected by this dispute? I have Earthlink DSL and it has been exceedingly slow the past two days. Can't get on to their support line, as the decision tree just disconnects callers.

Level 3 Communications Phone Numbers

This post might get me in trouble, but I'm sick and tired of
companies with acting irresponsibly. This is why the web
should be treated as an utility. Please Call Level 3, I'll bet
they don't answer. These numbers are all in Colorado.
1. 303-410-7294
2. 720-888-1000
3. 925-398-3000

Yes, Earthlink is effected!

I have Earthlink Dial up, and one of my friends have Earthlink DSL and both are effected... I can view some webpages, and some I cant...
this is really bothersome and I wish they would hurry up and stop acting like babies and get it worked out!
Thank you,

[Mister C]

Ah Yes!

The free market, ain't it grand. Especially when applied to critical public resources! But have no fear, our government will come through and the golden rule will prevail. Them that's got the gold will end up making the rules and those who can pay will play and those who can't will be left out. J P would be so proud!

Lawyers will get there first

The government will be slow to respond but the lawyers will be all over it in a flash.

i applaud level3

ive have complained many times to cogent communications regarding porn spam originating from off their system and they never do anything about it leading me to the conclusion that they are pro or soft on porn and spam in general

as far as iam concerned cogent should be blackholed from off the internet until they clean up their spam/aup policy or at the least enforce same

Who would you email?

I'd love to know who to email on this situation... I'll have everyone in my groups email them, if we boycott, then something has to give!!!
Please someone reply with website or email please.

[Arbalest05]

Both of these companies may be under financial stress

Both of these companies are publically traded and both have pretty ugly charts (COI & LVLT). It sounds like Level 3 is trying to squeeze a few dollars out of their rival.

Spamblocker

if you have a good ISP, then you have Spam blocker... I suggest you dont want Spam/Porn.....use it....

Birns Telecommunications is affected as well

It appears as though Birns Telecommunications in Manhattan is also being affected by this feud, as my companies internet connection has been extremely slow. We get our T1 line from Birns, who in turn gets there connection from Level3. Hopefully Birns be able to find another service provider to help restore connection speeds.

Level 3

Level 3 has been in financial trouble from the start--I have some of their rotten stock (thought the company would get straightened out)and now have gotten screwed by them AGAIN!!!

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