Failed remote network problem

[Craigv9]

• Should have said...I sent ALL requests to that address because attempts to send the specific Sky address to the 87 IP address just resulted in failed downloads...

[Craigv9]

I have spoken at length with Sky chat, and spent an hour on the phone this morning with them

To be clear: Sky do not acknowledge this is their issue. They have been explicit that they cannot fix this issue and won't be doing so

They have specifically reiterated they are not blocking access to their service. We know this isn't true as we have proved they are, but this is their stance and they look determined to maintain it

(removed)

It's been suggested I take Sky Stream as a solution

Two issues with that:

1: It's twice the price for me

2: It's internet based in part, so is probably blocked...

I had thought they were blocking to get back Sky broadband customers, but it may be their intent is to move people to Stream...

Anyway: If the question is why am I getting 'failed: remote network problem', the definitive answer, from Sky at least, is 'Not our problem. Leave it with you'

• I couldn't be more disappointed. If only I'd believed in better

At least we now have an answer

In a week or so I'm hoping to impose on the superusers and other posters here who have been superb, to implement a proven work round to get round the block that Sky maintains doesn't exist....but which we've proven does

Mad world.

Moderator note: Removed campaigning.

[Craigv9]

My post from earlier has been deleted without comment or explanation

In brief I've spoken to Sky. Their definitive position is they are NOT blocking any broadband providers and cannot resolve this issue

They suggest those suffering, move to Sky Stream. I note that's far more expensive for some and probably won't solve the problem, but at least we have an answer

Thanks everyone who tried to get Sky to own this

Just remember: Believe in better...

[DalikVee]

I have had Sky Stream. Can't remember this particular issue being present but that entire platform is so unreliable that visitors to my house couldn't believe that it was a genuine Sky product until I showed them the menus. Not a good reputation for Sky.

Anwyay in fear of going off-topic, I've had another message from Sky saying that they're still looking into this and if they can't  (or won't) do anything, I'll be looking to leave as this is a breach of their contract terms. A modern TV service that is missing the capability to download on demand programmes reliably is not fit for purpose.

Regards

[Craigv9]

Dalik,

I had multiple strands of investigation...phone, chat, a SM manager. I rang today too. This isn't anything Sky are going to fix because they are saying it's not their issue and they deny geoblocking, deliberately or otherwise. They came REALLY close today claiming the use of a VPN or dodgy old foreign IP addresses could be an issue, but even then, not THEIR issue

I'm gonna loiter here because there's a genius network dude or 2 in these parts who are gonna assist me with a work round next week, but it's simple fact that Sky won't be fixing this

Once alive got the fix working,and I can implement it, understand it and explain it, you can be sure it'll be my mission to get it out there...

[Craigv9]

I just wanted to post this brief update to be fair to Sky

This AM they abdicated responsibility and in quite a polite way asked me to stop calling

However, just now there has been a flurry of activity and they have asked for contact details of my ISP in an attempt to come up with a solution

I don't know what caused this change of heart just hours later. I do wonder if the journalist has been in touch. Either way, we will take the win and thank Sky for finally starting the ball rolling. In my experience when tech geek from company A talk to same at company B, results usually follow...late, very late indeed, but hope emerges...

[NAwi]

@Craigv9 that's for keeping up the pressure 

the comment on VPN is investing as my ISP tech support mentioned that incorrect flagging/filtering of CGNAT IP's as VPN/Prixy could be a cause. (CGNAT being a way to get round the exhaustion of IP addresses)

[DalikVee]

My previous ISP used CG-NAT and that indeed caused a LOT of these blocking/suspicious traffic issues with various sites and services, including Sky, so that makes sense. I'm no longer with them though and my current ISP (static IP) is highly regarded as one of the best amongst people who know their stuff, but alas this Sky issue still persists.

Should really also say huge thanks to @Craigv9, Mark and others for continuing to pursue this, I would've given up by now otherwise.

[MARKXXXKX]

If my ISP was CGNATing me, I would leave immediately. You can not host anything if you are CGNATed, without extra complications and cost.

CGNAT should predominently be used on Mobile and Satellite devices where IPs are short leased and traffic is almost always outbound. I do not see why CGNAT would be an issue for most home users, as it really should not be used.

As an example I host a www site on port 443, this means my website is only reachable when someone comes to my IP on port 443.

With CGNAT multiple users use the same IP. If 2 users host a www site, then they both expect to receive inbound traffic on port 443, however this is not possible, the ISP is using PAT and the ports used on the public side do not relate to what a users www server needs.

[Chodley]

You could use ipv6 to host a server and bypass cgnat 😉

to be honest it's long past time we all moved completely over though

[DalikVee]

Confirmed through testing with Mark that Akamai IS the issue for me too, as downloads work perfectly when being redirected to the limelight server. Sky need to resolve this with Akamai.

Us customers are NOT at fault and will not be made fools of just because our ISPs aren't Sky/BT/VM. Sky should not be selling contracted products to people using smaller ISPs if they don't want to resolve their own issues and actually let customers use the services in which they are paying for.

Regards

[MARKXXXKX]

I've been working with computer networking for over 40 years, I retire in 9, I fully expect to retire and professionally never actually create an IPv6 network!!

[Chodley]

---

@DalikVee wrote:

Confirmed through testing with Mark that Akamai IS the issue for me too, as downloads work perfectly when being redirected to the limelight server. Sky need to resolve this with Akamai.

Us customers are NOT at fault and will not be made fools of just because our ISPs aren't Sky/BT/VM. Sky should not be selling contracted products to people using smaller ISPs if they don't want to resolve their own issues and actually let customers use the services in which they are paying for.

Regards

---

Did you try the Windows DNS server?

[Craigv9]

Windows has a DNS server?

And we are learning this now?!?

• I suspect this group is separated between Chodley and Mark, who knows what a network is. And everyone else...!

[Craigv9]

Just wanted to take time out to acknowledge the help and support of Chodley and Mark who have Ben with us fromtnrhbststt if this thread and hopefully will be there at the end

As someone who works in a very specialist field, I know how UTTERLY FURSTRATINGANit can be dealing with people who have little to no knowledge in the area you excel in, and then to front up and offer help which is met with head scratching and incompetence at the other end

Please bear with us, we will get there with your help Chodley and Mark!