Connection Errors in NYC Schools

Despite our best efforts to avoid it, every once in awhile, the New York City DOE internet proxy filters seem to decide to intermittently block JumpRope's web application.  We have never received an explanation for this behavior, nor have we been given actionable steps to fix or avoid it.  We do, however, have a few strategies to work around the issue.

The problem typically manifests as a browser-basked connection error.  The exact message depends on the browser, operating system, and exact circumstances.  Generally you will first see it when trying to access JumpRope's login page and it will be similar to one of the following:

• "This site cannot be reached..."
• 'Connection error.."
• "This connection is not secure..."
• Error 502

Most of the time, this error comes and goes throughout the day as the proxy filters automatically respond to traffic (our best guess is that the problem is a bug in the content filter, which uses a sort of artificial intelligence to decide which sites are allowed).

Things to try to resolve the problem:

• Instead of using a bookmarked link, go to https://www.jumpro.pe and click on the Login button.  Typically our main website is not blocked, and we will always have our best available workaround link connected to the login button.
• Try one of our alternate login URLs that are sometimes not blocked (in this order).  They all point to the same website, but they have a different URL which seems to avoid the proxy issue.
1. https://nyc3.jumpro.pe/login
2. https://nyc2.jumpro.pe/login
3. https://beta.jumpro.pe/login
• Though not often realistic, it is worth noting that you can access JumpRope via any non-DOE-instructional network (our servers are running fine, it's the proxy blocking access).  If you have the ability to use an admin (non-proxy) network drop in the office or a cellular hotspot, JumpRope remains fully available outside of the DOE network while this error is occurring.

It is also extremely helpful for you to submit a support ticket through the NYC DIIT.  

As an outside vendor, JumpRope does not have the ability to request technical help from the DOE via the Intranet.  Any DOE employee can use their Outlook username and password to submit a ticket at the following website.  The more people that do so, the more likely that the DOE will look into the issue quickly.  Click here to access the DOE intranet support page and log in.

We recommend a message similar to the following:

I am receiving a connection error when trying to access JumpRope, a critical system that I use every day in my classroom.  I can access the website without trouble when I'm not on a DOE computer.  Please allow access to https://*.jumpro.pe and make sure that it isn't blocked in the future.

Thanks very much!

Please know that we are also pursuing all possible solutions on our end is well.  Your communication with DIIT increases the chances of finding a permanent solution to this problem!  In the meantime, thank you for your patience and willingness to use one of the workarounds.