Cogent and Level 3 battle it out

Is the Internet breaking up?

from WinCustomize Forums

Cogent and Level 3, two of the world's largest ISPs are having a dispute.  As a result, users of Level 3 may not be able to reach sites that make use of Cogent and users of Cogent may not be able to reach websites that use Level 3.  Stardock, Betanews, WinCustomize, Neowin.net, deviantART, and many other sites use Cogent.  So if someone isn't able to connect to Stardock or any of its sites, this may be a reason.

But it speaks to a larger issue -- could the Internet eventually be broken up with us all at the whim of large corporations?


Links:
View: Cogent's Side of the story

8,059 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What? Whatever this is, it really don't seem fair towards the users. Seem really unprofessional of them actually.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
isnt there a law forbiding isp's from blocking a paying customers ability to access sites they wish to frequent..this would be tantamount to the phone co's saying I cant call anybody who dosent use the same long distace carrier as I am.....
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
could the Internet eventually be broken up with us all at the whim of large corporations?

You mean it isn't now?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm posting this via remote desktop on a computer hundreds of miles away. Unfortunately, that's the only way I can access this, or any of the sites mentioned above.   Luckily I can still reach all of my MSN contacts, and my email accounts are working.

Level 3 isn't making a lot of friends like this. If it continues for too long, I wouldn't be suprised if the US Government stepped in and forced a resolution. Aside from whatever communications laws it may conflict with, it is most certainly impacting businesses and commerce all over the US, if not the globe.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
it may take buisnesses that are impacted by the loss of revenues, to force the goverment to get involved..it should not be legal for them to block user's from acessing any sites they wish...imagine the outcry if ford all of a sudden told folks that they could no longer associate with chevy owners ....or if the phone co no longer allowed ypu to call a family meber til the switched long distance carrier's..

the isp's have IMO broken their contracts with the perspective customers... i dont remember reading anywhere in my service agreement that my service would be limited to sites hosted and or useing my isp for a carrier ...no does it say "restricted access"
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Meanwhile, WC may lose potential subscrobers. There are several forum posts from peeps who can't subscribe. Looking at the tech stories on Yahoo, this story isn't in the top few, which makes me wonder if people will realize what's going on. Hope the word gets out to the public...
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
this could explain why i suddenly can't access stardock information at home...

i've been having problems with my VZ avenue service in terms of speed, but i couldn't access stardock stuff at all as of wednesday.

anybody have more info?

hard to imagine the internet being broken into inaccessable sections.....
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If it's legal for a company to drop service to another arbitrarily, it should be legal for some enterprising company to step in & pick up the slack.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My connection is back after about 36 hours! I don't know if they resolved their differences or if my ISP (Road Runner) found a way around it. I hope everyone else is getting full access back now.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have Road Runner too, and was unable to get her until earlier this evening. RR told me yesterday that this has affected ALL their customers and that they would get it fixed as fast as possible. Kudos to RR. It really makes me mad that a company would be allowed to do. I can't believe there isn't a law against it. Anyone who pays for an internet connection should be able to go where they want to. Really makes a person wonder, what in the world? Smile!
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bah, Road Runner sucks. I hate Time Warner.

Anyways, this whole situation seems really stupid. Can't you proxy or something?
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bah, Road Runner sucks. I hate Time Warner.


I love Road Runner and Time Warner. They have nothing to do with this problem. They were victims. Not the cause. It is between Cogent and Level 3. I have never had a problem with Road Runner for the nearly 2 years I have had it until now, and it appears they found a way around the problem caused by the other 2 companies I mentioned.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Had to use ProxyMouse for a day. Back on line now through the RR channels!
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That kind of dispute happens all the time. Theoretically there's always more than one way to get from A to B on the internet - except that some (apparently even bigwigs) scrounge on good routing/peering policies or just are not willing to update their policies as time goes on. Direct peering agreements should not be the only path from A to B - it's silly.

Thus, Cogent blaming Level 3 is ridiculous. It's quite likely about as much their fault as it is Level 3's fault. Without seeing the routing policies it's hard to tell for an outsider though.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is outrage aside from outage on websites - I can't even get to Stardock, DeviantArt or WeatherUnderground. Companies are unable to contact their customers or access e-mail. Contact the FTC or your Congress reps.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well i sorted out my speed issues with my ISP.. and the technition confirmed that Verizon, on level 3, could not connect me to cogent info. i havn't tried yet today but, this blockage of access restricted me from downloading virus updates, and stardock updates, amung email and other things. Basically they knowingly prevented me from accessing products ive paid for, and trambled on my buisness abilities. Such a thing should NEVER be allowed to happen.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I finally regained access last night, & then today it was out again all day. Just now able to get back on. This just irritates the shit out of me

I wish someone would get some kind of class action going against them, I would join it
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, the U.S. government can regulate commmerce, so if the problem between the two companies messes with the ability to do business, it can most likely file suit and tell them to stop fighting.