|
PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
|
CBOT Project A outage.. Unacceptable! Way to go WorldComm
August 10, 1999
Dear Member:
As of this writing, technicians for MCI WorldCom still have not solved their
company's wide area network problem that has resulted in trading on Project
A being suspended since 9:21 p.m. on Thursday, August 5th. The MCI WorldCom
outage impacted all Project A workstations outside the CBOT building, as
well as MCI WorldCom customers using other services across the country and
the world.
The outage has not affected our open outcry markets. The financial and
agricultural floors have opened as scheduled.
The Project A network staff is in continuous contact with MCI WorldCom and
is monitoring the situation closely. We have been told the problem has been
traced to an outage at a major MCI WorldCom switching center, which has
caused several network data feeders in the U.S. and abroad to become
inoperative. The situation was described to us as a "meltdown of the
network" by the President of MCI WorldCom Operations during a conference
call I conducted yesterday with my staff. I communicated to the MCI
WorldCom executive the gravity of the outage as it impacts our members and
customers. I was told that restoring service to Project A is receiving the
highest priority of MCI WorldCom.
This latest problem with MCI WorldCom comes despite numerous past assurances
from them for improved Project A service. Last Tuesday, I met personally
with executives and staff from MCI WorldCom, at which time I expressed my
extreme concern and displeasure with the unsatisfactory quality of service
that they have been providing. Not only did they tell me then that there
would be no additional disruptions in service, they communicated that
service would improve. Despite these assurances, we began experiencing a
catastrophic outage because of MCI WorldCom just two days later. As a
result, the CBOT will immediately review areas of redress.
In the event that MCI WorldCom is unable to stabilize their network, we have
developed a contingency plan in order to resume trading on Project A. This
plan involves placing additional Project A workstations within the CBOT
building for use by members and member firms affected by the outage. This
will allow us to take advantage of our local area network, which is fully
operational.
We will notify members by Noon today as to when Project A will reopen,
either using the MCI WorldCom network or our contingency plan. We regret
the inconvenience the MCI WorldCom outage has caused many of our members,
customers and market users.
Sincerely,
Thomas R. Donovan
|