Aether Data Center Down

[Gyson]

These errors are not something to do with a bug, or unexpected problem, on the part of the lobby server or World servers.

They are, in part, an issue at this point because of a frustrating design.

If we were logging in and placed in a reliable queue that would eventually put us into the game, that would at least be something. But instead we are receiving error messages when attempting to connect to the data center after logging in, and being dumped back to desktop. That requires to load the launcher all over again and re-enter our login credentials, including any one-time security code (which is slowly draining the non-replaceable battery on my $10 security token, by the way).

We have to do this over and over and over again, until we eventually luck out and successfully advance to the character selection screen. At this point we're in a queue that may or may not actually count down (the latter sure seems to be a bug). And after spending a hefty amount of time in this queue we often end up getting a lobby server error, and then dumped back to the desktop.

Waiting in a queue can be frustrating enough. Having to deal with that other nonsense (whether bugged or a poorly thought out implementation) on top of that, however.. I think the frustration people are feeling over it is justifiable. Nobody expects the congestion to magically go away, but expecting a login process that handles congestion better isn't an unreasonable request.

[Hardware_Hank]

I am understanding of the server congestion and its not an easy solution as I've worked in as a NOC however the design flaws with how it handles the time outs is rather frustrating as I have to keep logging back in and putting in my security token. As Gyson said its a poor design choice and a consideration should be made to atleast keep you in the game or put you in a separate queue.

[VraeliaValkyria]

Bayo, I understand what you are saying. But, it is going to be getting worse when Heavensward officially releases Tuesday. I hope the uh, 'authorities' understands how much more traffic is going to ensue once expansion is officially released. Please convey our frustrations, and the severe need that this needs to be fixed as soon as possible to help relieve congestion. Also, thank you for giving us information. It is much appreciated.

[Saccharin]

There's two options I see to this:

1.) Split Aether into two smaller data centers. Put Balmung and Gilgamesh on separate data centers to relieve the congestion.
2.) Move either Gilgamesh or Balmung to the the other existing NA data center.

This was predicted, the solution is not to spilt them but to lock them for a long time and offer free transfers off. They individually are too big. Large servers suck the life out of other servers leading to a lack of players.

My question is why did you put both Balmung and Gilgamesh on the same data center?

They are both legacy servers and other data centres have more than one legacy server but the players decided that they wanted to flock to those two. SE can only be blamed for not keeping them locked and the lack of free transfers.

[PuttyKat]

While the Development and Operations teams are working to ensure that the servers are stable and doing everything they can to avoid downtime, unfortunately, this issue a result of the large populations being housed on the Aether data center.

Here in lies the problem. You guys created the Data centers after these worlds were populated, you were the ones who decided to but both the largest servers onto one data center. You knew that this was going to be an issue before the release, you had the numbers, the data, and the sales to predict this. You had 24 hours you should of moved one of the worlds off of Aether or created a new data center and split up the current NA's into it.

It is you guys not us who maximized the capacity of the data center by moving these worlds onto it. You had ample time to adjust worlds and which ones would be on which data center. There is no reason for this. .

[Mireille]

They are, in part, an issue at this point because of a frustrating design.

We have to do this over and over and over again, until we eventually luck out and successfully advance to the character selection screen. At this point we're in a queue that may or may not actually count down (the latter sure seems to be a bug). And after spending a hefty amount of time in this queue we often end up getting a lobby server error, and then dumped back to the desktop.

Pretty much agreed with everything you have said in the above post. If you find the queue isn't advancing after awhile you can try canceling wait a few minutes then select your character again. Canceling sends you to the character selection, not the start screen, and from there you can try again in a few minutes. Sometimes you still get to loading and then crash out again, but it saves you from the connecting to server 2002 & 5006 errors to some degree.

[Slyvannas]

idk about you guys but for me if i just cancel and click log in again on the queue screen it lets me in. it doesnt count down or make me wait. but the error 2002 is really annoying -.-