Connection Problems to FastLane and other NSF Sites
NSF has taken many steps to ensure the reliability of the FastLane servers. Since implementing hardware and software changes to FastLane late last year, the system has been operating nearly continuously without the slowness and server problems frequently experienced in the past. However, reliable software and servers are unimportant if users cannot connect to FastLane.
Users of NSF's main web sites experienced
access problems from Thursday, May 17, through the morning of Monday, May
21. The problems originated with the failure of the cable connecting
Verizon with NSF's primary Internet Service Provider (ISP). This
was followed by a firewall configuration problem at NSF. Both problems
were corrected by 9:00 AM (EDT) this morning (5/21).
Due to the problems encountered,
the deadlines for Teacher Enhancement preliminary proposals (NSF 01-60)
and Technology for a Sustainable Environment (NSF 01-76) have been extended
to Tuesday, May 22, 5:00 P.M. local time. The deadline for
HPNC proposals (NSF 01-73) has been extended to Friday, May 25, 5:00 P.M.
local time.
Questions, comments, or suggestions
about FastLane or this announcement may be addressed to fastlane@nsf.gov
. The Custom News Service has added a subtype labeled "FastLane Announcements"
under the document type "Proposal Announcements & Information."
Those recipients who use the Custom News Service but do not want to receive
FastLane Announcements should edit their profiles and uncheck the FastLane
Announcements box under the "Proposal Announcements & Information"
subtypes list.