Problems getting work - "Could not CosmHTTPOpen"

[John Deas]

Client: Windows CPU Console Edition
Client Version: 6.20
Operating System: Windows XP Home v5.1.2600 SP2
CPU: AMD Sempron 3400+ x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2
Overclocked: No

For two or three weeks my system has been having difficulty getting work - some days it seems to spend more time failing to get work than working. Typical section of log file from today, when 10 consecutive tries failed:

Code: Select all

[11:07:45] - Preparing to get new work unit...
[11:07:45] + Attempting to get work packet
[11:07:45] - Will indicate memory of 446 MB
[11:07:45] - Detect CPU. Vendor: AuthenticAMD, Family: 15, Model: 15, Stepping: 2
[11:07:45] - Connecting to assignment server
[11:07:45] Connecting to http://assign.stanford.edu:8080/
[11:07:45] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[11:07:45] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[11:07:45] Connecting to http://assign2.stanford.edu:80/
[11:07:45] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[11:07:45] + Could not connect to Assignment Server 2
[11:07:45] + Couldn't get work instructions.
[11:07:45] - Attempt #1  to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.
[11:08:04] + Attempting to get work packet
[11:08:04] - Will indicate memory of 446 MB
[11:08:04] - Connecting to assignment server
[11:08:04] Connecting to http://assign.stanford.edu:8080/
[11:08:04] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[11:08:04] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[11:08:04] Connecting to http://assign2.stanford.edu:80/
[11:08:04] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[11:08:04] + Could not connect to Assignment Server 2
[11:08:04] + Couldn't get work instructions.
[11:08:04] - Attempt #2  to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.

<snip>

[12:50:21] + Attempting to get work packet
[12:50:21] - Will indicate memory of 446 MB
[12:50:21] - Connecting to assignment server
[12:50:21] Connecting to http://assign.stanford.edu:8080/
[12:50:30] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[12:50:30] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[12:50:30] Connecting to http://assign2.stanford.edu:80/
[12:50:30] - Could not CosmHTTPOpen
[12:50:30] + Could not connect to Assignment Server 2
[12:50:30] + Couldn't get work instructions.
[12:50:30] - Attempt #10  to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.

The machine was then restarted, and after four more failed attempts finally got a WU.

Does this indicate any problem that I can do anything about my end?

Regards,
John Deas

[bruce]

When you cannot connect to either http://assign.stanford.edu:8080/ or http://assign2.stanford.edu:80/ it indicates some kind of a problem with your local internet connection. (Well, in truth, that might happen if they had a massive earthquake or power failure at Stanford, but this board would light up like crazy if it did happen.) It might be your ISP, it might be your internet security settings, it might be something else blocking the connection.

When you see those messages, can you connect to those url's with your browser?

[John Deas]

I'll try connecting with the browser (Firefox) next time it happens - present WU due to finish tomorrow - and post here again. Whatever it is must be intermittent, because eventually a connection gets made without any action from me. I haven't noticed any other problem with my internet connection, except for an occasional drop-out and reconnect. I use the Zonealarm firewall; I've used that for a long time, but it did have a new version lately - next time I have the problem I'll see if the ZA logs are showing that it is blocking something.

Regards, JohnCD

[bruce]

The "occasional drop out and reconnect" might be indicative of a problem. Have you checked the error rate on your connection? There have been a few problems like this that were traced to something not really obvious like a low-quality or loose ethernet cable.

[John Deas]

Thanks for the prompt response - it confirms that the problem is probably at my end. Of course, as usual with intermittents one wants to track down, it didn't happen on the next two occasions, and now I'm into a long WU. I will make more checks if it happens again.

Regards, John Deas