Improvements to Remote* access to PDVN

Latest revision: 5 December 2002

Click here for changes to PCD Helpdesk Service from 24 November 2002.
[This is a PDF file]

Let us know if it's different for you (use the website's Feedback Form), but our impression (and we are remote users) is that access is much easier now for those of you working outside the parliamentary estate: quicker to access, less prone to crash and more consistent.  And further improvements are on the way, due to begin from December 2002, as set out in the July issue of the Information Committee's Bulletin No 3....see below.

If you don't agree that things have improved, our advice - as ever - is:  keep trying!  If you've given up then please try again now and, most importantly, always ring the Help Desk on 020 7219 2001 as PCD are concerned that some of the problems you report to us have not been reported directly to them.  They want and need your feedback if the service is to be improved to the standard we all want.  Have a look at PCD's messages below, particularly numbers 4 and 5 which include hints on making best use of the new system.

For the time being we have decided to freeze our running catalogue (last updated 16 April 2002) of the messages received by remote users as well as your comments.  Instead, please report all faults and problems direct to the Help Desk on 020 7219 2001;  PCD promise to be receptive.  If you feel that problems are still persisting, let us know and we will think about reviving the catalogue.

We wish to emphasise that the point of listing your comments is NOT to annoy PCD who are doing their best to remedy the situation but to provide some reassurance to individual staff of Members, who are often working in isolated situations in constituency offices and from home, that they are not alone in experiencing difficulties at present and that, if there's something not working as it should, it is probably not because they, themselves, are doing something wrong.  The process of remote access is being improved and when it works well, it's brilliant and opens a door to all the excellent resources on the parliamentary intranet.  Our advice, as ever, is:  keep trying!

[* You are a "remote" user if you access the Parliamentary Intranet from outside the parliamentary estate.]

8. Extract from Information Committee Bulletin - Issue 3 (July 2002)

Posted here:  14 October 2002

The reliability of the connections was the main concern of colleagues when we sent out a questionnaire some while back. Since then, PCD has introduced a new version of Citrix which offers additional facilities. Initially, demand was underestimated (users stayed logged on for much longer periods than ever before) and the launch was accompanied by logging on and other problems for a week or so. More servers have since been added and the system is now far more stable.

But Citrix will soon be replaced by a totally new system: a Virtual Private Network. It is hoped that the roll out will begin in December with completion by June 2003. This will give connections as fast as the line between the computer and Westminster. The system can be used with an ordinary telephone line, an ISDN line, or a broadband ADSL line. The present proposal allows for two concurrent connections per Member, but the Report mentioned above recommends that this be increased. The House authorities will pay for the running cost of the line. Call up charges will be free. When this is finally introduced, we should - at long last - have an up to date and reliable remote access system.

Meanwhile, the internet 'pipe' has just been upgraded giving far faster internet access on the PDVN. For the technical, it is 16mb burstable to 20mb with a back-up service.

7. The PCD Notice below was emailed to everyone on Monday 10 June

Posted here: 11 June 2002

PDVN Essential Maintenance Saturday 15 June

PCD will be replacing its current link to the internet this Saturday with one which will offer greater capacity to accommodate future growth in email and internet traffic. The company being used for the link will also offer higher levels of support than at present.

Work will commence at 8:00 am and should be completed by midday on Saturday 15th June.   While work is in progress there will be a loss of internet access from the PDVN. Any emails sent externally during this period will be stored and released after the new link is in place. Internal email and intranet access will be unaffected.

PCD would like to apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.

6. The PCD notice below was included in the All-Party Whip 
sent out on Thursday 9 May

Posted here: 10 May 2002

ISDN PROVISION  -  STATEMENT OF CURRENT POLICY  BY PCD

The provision to Members of ISDN lines has not been part of PCD's agreed portfolio of services, but such lines have occasionally been provided on a case-by-case basis.  It is now apparent that this approach is unsatisfactory, since it is potentially inequitable and technically unsustainable.  The technical problem arises from the fact that the current telecommunications infrastructure, including in that term both equipment and number allocation, has not been designed to provide ISDN on the scale that may be required.  At the same time the use of external suppliers such as BT  to provide permanent ISDN lines for the use of Members is not a tenable alternative since it necessarily involves allowing  third parties to use capacity on Parliament's cabling network for commercial purposes.

PCD plans shortly  to undertake a review of the telecommunications infrastructure.  The review will include include an investigation into the technical changes that may be necessary to provide ISDN on an appropriate scale, and will enable the House to take a measured view of the costs and benefits of including it as part of the standard portfolio of telecommunications services provided to Members.  Until that review is completed in the Autumn of 2002 and a House-wide policy may be agreed, PCD regrets that it is unable to process further requests for ISDN lines for Members offices.  

5. Verbal message from PCD to W4MP website on 16 April

PCD would also find it helpful if you could let them know which PDVN server you were on when the problem occurred. Click here for instructions on how to do this.

Posted here: 19 April 2002

4. Verbal message from PCD to W4MP website on 3 April

Posted here: 4 April 2002

Some of the messages from staff on your website reveal problems which have not been picked up by our Help Desk on 020 7219 2001.  It is very important that all problems are reported directly to the Help Desk so we can give proper advice to remote users who are still having problems. 

3. The PCD notice below was sent to all users on Thursday 28 March.

Posted here: 29 March 2002

To all Remote Access Users

This note provides an update on the new remote access service and also offers advice on its preferred use. 

Status

As many of you will know an upgraded remote access service was launched last week. Due to the high initial interest and the extra processing power needed when users first connected the performance of the system proved to be poor. By the end of last week most regular users had successfully transferred to the new service and PCD had also increased the capacity of the servers that support it.  To improve capacity further PCD will also be increasing the number of lines available to access the service.  PCD believes the initial problems have now been resolved.  Please contact the PCD Helpdesk if you have continuing difficulties.

PCD apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused

Usage

The pattern of use under the old version of the system indicated that users connected for short periods to check their email, calendar and to read documents sent via the system. A new pattern may be emerging due to the new features available where users connect and stay connected for longer periods.  It is important to note that the service was not designed for that type of extended use. PCD is therefore encouraging users to connect for short periods only and not to log on and leave the system running idle since this ties up system resources and also incurs unnecessary cost.  To limit the impact of this matter PCD will be reinstating a feature of the old service which will automatically disconnect user connections that have remained inactive for 30 minutes. To avoid any user difficulties a warning will be given prior to this action. In this way PCD will ensure that the performance of the service is not unnecessarily depleted by inactive connections and also ensure that call charges are only incurred when the system is in use.

If you have any queries the PCD Helpdesk would be happy to advise: 0207 219 2001.

From: PCD Helpdesk    Thursday 28 March 2002 18:29

2. The PCD notice below was sent to all users on Wednesday 20 March.

1. The PCD notice below was sent to all users on Wednesday 13 March. 

Posted here:  15 March 2002

From: PCD Notices     Wednesday 13 March 2002 15:29