FastLane Announcement #01-04 Connection Problems to FastLane and Other NSF Sites NSF has taken many steps to ensure the reliability of the FastLane servers. Since implementing hardware and software changes to FastLane late last year, the system has been operating nearly continuously without the slowness and server problems frequently experienced in the past. However, reliable software and servers are unimportant if users cannot connect to FastLane. Users of NSF's main web sites experienced access problems from Thursday, May 17, through the morning of Monday, May 21. The problems originated with the failure of the cable connecting Verizon with NSF's primary Internet Service Provider (ISP). This was followed by a firewall configuration problem at NSF. Both problems were corrected by 9:00 AM (EDT) this morning (5/21). Due to the problems encountered, the deadlines for Teacher Enhancement preliminary proposals (NSF 01-60) and Technology for a Sustainable Environment (NSF 01-76) have been extended to Tuesday, May 22, 5:00 P.M. local time. The deadline for HPNC proposals (NSF 01-73) has been extended to Friday, May 25, 5:00 P.M. local time. Questions, comments, or suggestions about FastLane or this announcement may be addressed to fastlane@nsf.gov . The Custom News Service has added a subtype labeled "FastLane Announcements" under the document type "Proposal Announcements & Information." Those recipients who use the Custom News Service but do not want to receive FastLane Announcements should edit their profiles and uncheck the FastLane Announcements box under the "Proposal Announcements & Information" subtypes list.