Test of Gatekeeper Program

On November 23 and December 9, some users of EIA's WPSR data participated in a test of a "Gatekeeper" application that we will be implementing on January 26, 2005. This "Gatekeeper" denies customer access to the data area for a brief period before the 10:30 Wednesday release of the new week's data while we upload those files. We sometimes have contention issues where so many users are attempting to access the new data files that we can't get them onto the server. As many of you know, we had problems with two of the December releases which resulted in some people getting the files they use and others not being able to access wpsr.txt for several minutes.

Since many users still have not tested the Gatekeeper, we will be conducting another set of tests as outlined below. We are asking all WPSR customers to participate in one of the upcoming tests, especially those who have not yet participated.

Test Dates:

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Tuesday, Jan 11, 11:00 AM EST Tuesday, Jan 11, 2:00 PM EST

Wednesday, Jan 12, 11:00 AM EST Wednesday, Jan 12, 2:00 PM EST

Thursday, Jan 13, 11:00 AM EST Thursday, Jan 13, 2:00 PM EST

Implementation Date:

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Wednesday, Jan 26, 10:30 AM EST

Following are the instructions for the TEST:

1. Between 10:55 AM and 11:00 AM EST (or 1:55 PM and 2:00 PM EST) on one of the days specified above, access one of the WPSR files at the following TEST URL:

//www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/weekly_petroleum_status_report/current_test/txt/ + file name

(NOTE: This long URL will probably wrap; be sure to COPY and PASTE BOTH LINES)

ADD one of the following file names to the URL:

table1.txt table14.txt

table1.csv table14.csv

table11.txt table15.txt

table11.csv table15.csv

table12.txt table16.txt

table12.csv table16.crv

table13.txt wfrm.txt

table13.csv wpsr.txt

Your completed test URL should look something like this:

//www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/weekly_petroleum_status_report/current_test/txt/wpsr.txt

2. After you have accessed this test URL, you will receive a customized "503

Error - Page Temporarily Unavailable" like the one below:

503 - Sorry! This file is temporarily unavailable

A new version of this file is currently pending release.

The new file will be released in exactly 57.660 seconds.

This page will automatically refresh to download the new release in 57.660 seconds.

3. Once you receive the 503 error page, DO NOTHING ELSE. The file you requested will be automatically delivered to you by the "Gatekeeper" when it is released at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM.

When we implement the Gatekeeper on January 26, 2005, you will use the usual URL:

//www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/weekly_petroleum_status_report/current/txt/ + file name.

MANUAL USERS: We are confident that those of you who manually access the WPSR through the use of your browser software will have no problems.

ROBOT USERS: It is ESSENTIAL that robot users participate in this test since we cannot predict how your robot will interpret the 503 error. You may need to make some configuration changes. This test should enable you to make that determination. Please email the EIA Webmaster at gatekeeper@eia.doe.gov if you have problems or questions.

FTP USERS: Users will no longer be able to download the WPSR data using FTP.

Please plan to use one of the other methods.

Following the test, please email the EIA Webmaster at gatekeeper@eia.doe.gov and let us know how the test worked at your location.