Monday, February 25, 2008

Sun Download server blocking US users?

I just witnessed something a bit peculiar while trying to download the latest Java 6 JDK. Headed to http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp, and clicked on the Download button for "JDK 6 Update 4". This directed me to a 2nd page to "Select Platform for your download", the URL beginning with https://cds.sun.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/CDS-CDS_Developer-Site/en_US/-/USD/ViewFilteredProducts-SingleVariationTypeFilter.

No matter what platform I choose, the same page returns an error: "Your download transaction cannot be approved. Contact Customer Service."

This error is listed in Sun's Download Center FAQ at http://www.sun.com/download/faq.xml:

Q: Why am I stopped from downloading and getting the message, "Your download transaction cannot be approved. Contact Customer Service."

A: The Sun Download Center contains important safeguards to ensure compliance with the export regulations of the United States and with Sun's own policies regarding international distribution of software and source code. Sun also enforces all U.S. mandated embargoes and trade sanctions with regards to certain countries.

Your account most likely was flagged for review. Please contact Customer Service with your full contact information (name, company, address, phone, email address) and the name of the product you wish to download. We will review your account and reply.

Being a citizen of the United States, and receiving the error from a download request through Charter Communications in Wausau, WI, I find this very interesting. My IP resolves to x.x.x.x.dhcp.stpt.wi.charter.com. It also doesn't appear to be an issue with the browser or cookies, as I receive the error in both Firefox and Internet Explorer. I also tried the download request through a Charter business account, with an IP that resolves to x.x.x.x.static.stpt.wi.charter.com.

I followed the error link, submitted a download inquiry form, and promptly received an auto reply stating that the issue is under review and should probably be resolved within one business day.

Waiting to see what happens. Interesting...

Update:

I've yet to figure out exactly how these versions are supposed to related, but some have claimed that downloading from http://download.java.net/jdk6/binaries/ is the same thing. However, according to http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/ReleaseNotes.html, for version 1.6.0_04, "The full internal version number for this update release is 1.6.0_04-b12". However, what is posted on java.net is b11... (Please comment if you can help me clear up this confusion.)

Alternatively, you can try your luck with Google's search results.

Update:

Posted a question to the java.net forums regarding the JDK versions available on the jdk6.dev.java.net site: http://forums.java.net/jive/thread.jspa?threadID=37203

Also, according to Google Analytics, this site has received over 130 visits so far today - a new record. It appears most were related to this particular post, and that the requests came from 32 different countries! Interestingly, I've not seen any news from Sun about the issue nor have I received an email reply. One would think they would've at least put a note on their site, something to the effect of "We're aware of the issue and should have the issue resolved shortly."

Update (2008-02-27):

Received an email back from Sun Customer Support: "The Sun Download Center was experiencing technical difficulties but it is now functioning properly. Please try your download again again and let us know if you are still experiencing any problems. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Update (2008-03-17):

Ray Gans, one of the maintainers of the jdk6 project on dev.java.net, finally replied to my Forum post with some insightful information regarding the apparently missing source and binary releases: http://forums.java.net/jive/thread.jspa?threadID=37203

25 comments:

Joseph G Gay said...

I'm having the same issue on Charter at home, and also on a university network; I've yet to try it from work. It looks like a relatively new download process.

Anonymous said...

Slovak republic and many proxies I have tried = the same result. Cannot download JDK.
In addition no answer from sun yet...
Did anybody download JDK successfully this day ?

Antonio Alvarado Hernández said...

Same as above, but from Spain!

Anonymous said...

Same here.. from Sweden

Anonymous said...

I was just getting this error (from Australia). I am now no longer.

Perhaps it is resolved.

Mark A. Ziesemer said...

Indeed, the problem does appear resolved now!

I'll be posting an update here with a link to a forum post to java.net. I'm still attempting to determine how the java.net releases compare to those at java.sun.com.

Anonymous said...

Part of your trouble may be the ISP, or more appropriately, the folks abusing them. I manage email security for a US company and lately have seen more and more spam-relay attacks from static.stpt.wi.charter.com or just from wi.charter.com. I've seen many sites simply ban traffic from this domain at the router level. It's a shame when a few manage to ruin something for the many.

Anonymous said...

Still not working (i am from Romania)

Anonymous said...

Same error today (1/11/2010)... I'm in Austin,TX USA

adam outler said...

I'm in Leesville, Louisiana, having the same error. Suddenlink is my provider.

Anonymous said...

Still happens. California.

Marcos de Carvalho said...

Me too, same error (15/08/2010) when downloading Java Web Start Developer Pack 1.2

I am from Brasil.

Anonymous said...

2 years later. Same problem. From a verizon IP in MA. I couldn't download for the last 20 hours. No response form customer service yet.

Also swinglabs.org is down for at least a day now. And has been again and again.

I hope Sun/Oracle can get their incompetence sorted out. Maybe they should host on google code.

Bruno said...

The same crap! today 08/15/2010 from Mexico.

Anonymous said...

I'm getting this error too, from NY. Pretty annoying as I need JDK in order to use Netbeans...

Anonymous said...

Same here from Texas. Need JDK and JRE so I can install Android SDK.

Anonymous said...

I got the same message, from Canada.

Colin said...

Same from Australia.

Anonymous said...

Same today:
Gig Harbor, WA

Anonymous said...

same from Gig Harbor, Washington

Anonymous said...

same crap here, Washington state

Anonymous said...

same here, Washington state

Anonymous said...

same here in Washington state

Anonymous said...

Same here, Dallas, TX. School starts Monday. Was hoping to start programming class, but I guess we'll learn how to count the ceiling tiles!

Anonymous said...

Ditto. Nebraska.