- Joined
- Aug 14, 2018
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Good day All
Frogfoot would like to take this opportunity to clarify the nature of issues it is currently experiencing in Port Elizabeth and George, and additionally, to provide detail around the causes, and action plans to mitigate these as soon as it practical to do so.
There are 3 specific and individual problems which will be detailed separately below.
(1) Port Elizabeth longhaul capacity problem
(2) Port Elizabeth (Walmer area) instability
(3) George longhaul capacity problem
(1) Port Elizabeth longhaul capacity problem
--------------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges it has experienced congestion at peak usage windows for its customers in Port Elizabeth.
The cause for this was poor planning of backhaul capacity to carry traffic from Port Elizabeth to major metros on Frogfoot's side, as well as higher and faster than expected growth in the Port Elizabeth region.
The capacity was however upgraded on 2019-11-11 and the congestion is thus resolved.
We ask that you please run a speed test and if you are experiencing further issues, please inbox us and we will investigate further.
(2) Port Elizabeth (Walmer area) instability
--------------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges that the Walmer area in Port Elizabeth was, and is, at a higher risk of being impacted.
The cause for this is an internal process error at Frogfoot that resulted in inadequate backhaul protection for Frogfoot's node in the Walmer area, as well as a higher than usual incident (fibre breaks) frequency on the current, single backhaul servicing the Walmer node.
As a standard, Frogfoot builds its network such that there is redundant backhaul links that services a node. In the Walmer case, as mentioned, there was an oversight. When realised, Frogfoot immediately actioned the implementation of a redundant backhaul. This is being fast tracked and Frogfoot hope to have it installed as soon as possible.
Additionally Frogfoot is investigating how to mitigate the higher that usual count of fibre breaks on the current backhaul.
(3) George longhaul capacity problem
------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges it is currently experiencing congestion at peak usage windows for its customers in George.
The cause for this is a planned upgrade with a third provider that should have, as a standard, provided the required capacity. This however failed when the third party informed us that they did not have the capacity.
Frogfoot immediately invoked mitigating action to find alternate capacity. The options for providing sufficient back haul capacity from George to the major metros (where interconnecting takes place) is unfortunately limited.
Frogfoot did however manage to secure capacity but it requires civil works (trenching) and landlord approvals before implementation can start. This process is in an advanced stage and the current estimated start date is 19 November which will run for about a week of working days before the capacity can be brought into production. Frogfoot is actively trying to push to bring these dates forward. Updates will be provided if improved dates can be achieved.
Frogfoot is reviewing its internal process to incorporate the vulnerabilities identified and related to the PE and George congested events, third party supplier capacity, and the general planning around backhaul capacity. We hope that this will minimise similar future occurrences.
Regards,
Team Frogfoot
Frogfoot would like to take this opportunity to clarify the nature of issues it is currently experiencing in Port Elizabeth and George, and additionally, to provide detail around the causes, and action plans to mitigate these as soon as it practical to do so.
There are 3 specific and individual problems which will be detailed separately below.
(1) Port Elizabeth longhaul capacity problem
(2) Port Elizabeth (Walmer area) instability
(3) George longhaul capacity problem
(1) Port Elizabeth longhaul capacity problem
--------------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges it has experienced congestion at peak usage windows for its customers in Port Elizabeth.
The cause for this was poor planning of backhaul capacity to carry traffic from Port Elizabeth to major metros on Frogfoot's side, as well as higher and faster than expected growth in the Port Elizabeth region.
The capacity was however upgraded on 2019-11-11 and the congestion is thus resolved.
We ask that you please run a speed test and if you are experiencing further issues, please inbox us and we will investigate further.
(2) Port Elizabeth (Walmer area) instability
--------------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges that the Walmer area in Port Elizabeth was, and is, at a higher risk of being impacted.
The cause for this is an internal process error at Frogfoot that resulted in inadequate backhaul protection for Frogfoot's node in the Walmer area, as well as a higher than usual incident (fibre breaks) frequency on the current, single backhaul servicing the Walmer node.
As a standard, Frogfoot builds its network such that there is redundant backhaul links that services a node. In the Walmer case, as mentioned, there was an oversight. When realised, Frogfoot immediately actioned the implementation of a redundant backhaul. This is being fast tracked and Frogfoot hope to have it installed as soon as possible.
Additionally Frogfoot is investigating how to mitigate the higher that usual count of fibre breaks on the current backhaul.
(3) George longhaul capacity problem
------------------------------------
Frogfoot acknowledges it is currently experiencing congestion at peak usage windows for its customers in George.
The cause for this is a planned upgrade with a third provider that should have, as a standard, provided the required capacity. This however failed when the third party informed us that they did not have the capacity.
Frogfoot immediately invoked mitigating action to find alternate capacity. The options for providing sufficient back haul capacity from George to the major metros (where interconnecting takes place) is unfortunately limited.
Frogfoot did however manage to secure capacity but it requires civil works (trenching) and landlord approvals before implementation can start. This process is in an advanced stage and the current estimated start date is 19 November which will run for about a week of working days before the capacity can be brought into production. Frogfoot is actively trying to push to bring these dates forward. Updates will be provided if improved dates can be achieved.
Frogfoot is reviewing its internal process to incorporate the vulnerabilities identified and related to the PE and George congested events, third party supplier capacity, and the general planning around backhaul capacity. We hope that this will minimise similar future occurrences.
Regards,
Team Frogfoot
