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Binge-watchers were at the receiving end of a cruel joke yesterday as they arrived home after a hectic day’s work – Netflix (NFLX) was down – and it sent the whole world into a tizzy. Only an error message displayed on both the app and the website that read: Netflix error: this title is not available to watch instantly.
In spite of witnessing an exponential increase in the number of ardent followers, Netflix had so far managed to prevent its servers from any major disruptions. That is, until yesterday, when it saw its largest global outage. The video-streaming platform has previously suffered minor outages on April 19, May 9 and May 24 this year.
We are aware of members having trouble streaming on all devices. We are investigating the issue and appreciate your patience.
— Netflix CS (@Netflixhelps) June 11, 2018
[...] As per Down Detector website, complaints peaked at around 5PM ET and half an hour later, Netflix acknowledged the outage on its Twitter channel that they are aware of the issue. The issue was sorted out by 7PM ET, when the company tweeted, “The streaming issues we reported earlier have now been resolved. Thank you for your patience, and as always, happy streaming!”
(Score: 1) by schusselig on Wednesday June 13 2018, @02:01PM (5 children)
Is there any evidence indicating that this might actually be related to net neutrality and not bog-standard IT incompetence, or is the department line just bait for suckers like me?
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday June 13 2018, @02:30PM (2 children)
Maybe the problems would go away if Netflix would buy paid prioritization?
But AT&T said they won't create paid prioritization. So they must have a new business model. ("hey, that's a nice internet business you've built there. It would be a shame . . .")
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(Score: 2) by nobu_the_bard on Wednesday June 13 2018, @07:04PM (1 child)
The contexts the various ISPs have made these promises in have been to home users. I've been operating under the assumption it didn't apply to content providers and cloud services on the other end of the line, precisely with precisely threats like that...
(Score: 3, Interesting) by DannyB on Thursday June 14 2018, @01:56PM
My understanding is that the whole "paid prioritization" is a scam to get money from major network properties.
AT&T (for example) goes to Netflix: pay us money and we'll make sure that AT&T customers connecting to Netflix get good connections.
Result: Netflix pays. The price is absorbed into Netflix's prices, so everyone on Netflix (including Verizon users, for example) are subsidizing AT&T customers connecting to Netflix.
Verizon (for example) goes to HBO: pay us money and we'll make sure that Verizon customers connecting to HBO get good connections.
Result: HBO pays. The price is absorbed into HBO prices, so everyone on HBO (including AT&T users, for example) are subsidizing Verizon customers connecting to HBO.
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Why this is a BAD idea.
Netflix pays handsomely for it's bandwidth at its end of the connection. So does HBO.
If I am having trouble getting Netflix at my residence, then that is MY ISP's problem -- not Netflix. It is not "Netflix is using too much bandwidth". It is ME, THE ISP CUSTOMER who is using too much bandwidth. And the ISP needs to get with the 21st century idea of what is an appropriate amount of bandwidth to be using. If I am using too much bandwidth, then the ISP should CHARGE ME FOR IT. After all, I'm going to end up paying for it anyway (see those awful back room deals described a few paragraphs above).
My ISP should be charging me to build out their network to provide the service I need, and to make a reasonable profit.
My ISP should not be trying to make their price look artificially small by shifting some of my ISP bill into my Netflix / HBO bill, making it look higher to pay for my ISP service.
Just as Netflix / HBO pays for it's end of the connection, I should pay for my end. It should be simple and neutral. It doesn't matter what I am using the bandwidth for. If I could get that great bandwidth when connecting to Netflix, why shouldn't I get it when connecting to anywhere else? What if I connect to (say) Hulu which doesn't have a "paid prioritization" back room deal with my ISP? I should pay for my bandwidth, in my ISP bill (not in my Netflix / HBO bill) and get the bandwidth I pay for -- no matter who or what I am connecting to. The other end of the connection can pay for its own bandwidth, and only for its own bandwidth, as it should.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Wednesday June 13 2018, @06:18PM
I've predicted (multiple times on those pages) that the death of NN will cause the collapse and subsequent purchase of Netflix assets by one of the giant ISPs.
I'm willing to consider this one a coincidence. But that doesn't change the inevitable.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Thexalon on Wednesday June 13 2018, @09:13PM
You mean other than the fact that it occurred in a matter of hours after the ISPs were legally allowed to mess with Netflix traffic, and the ISPs were complaining about Netflix to the FCC when they convinced the FCC to change the rules? It could be a coincidence, but the timing sure is suspicious.
We have absolutely no idea what Netflix did to fix it. It could be they fixed their load balancer or something, or it could be that they signed the contracts AT&T and Comcast had been trying to shove down their throats, which presumably have clauses saying they can't talk about what just happened.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.