Affiliation
Variable Stars South (VSS)
Sat, 05/17/2014 - 23:45
I'm getting this error every time I try to use VSTAR over the last few days. There's no problem with the internet connection, and I have the latest Java installed. Any suggestions as to what's happening?
I have occasionally seen this intermittent problem and saw it again for about an hour or two last Thursday. At the same time I was able to use LCG etc on the AAVSO web just fine. That leads me to conclude that it was a problem with access to the database host from outside (as opposed to from server side which is how LCG and other web apps would make use of it).
I can access it just fine now and VStar CHOICE course participants seem to be making use of it.
It's annoying when problems are intermittent, I understand.
How is it at the moment for you?
There will in future, I hope, be a web service based approach to accessing AID that I want to use instead of the current approach. But that's currently vapourware. When it becomes something more than that, I'll be making noise about it.
David
Hi David - seems to have righted itself now! Thanks.
Jonathan
When I am trying to use “File / New star from APASS …” or “Tool / Plug-in Manager” the VStar ask me for the AAVSO user name and password but does not recognize them and return me the message for incorrect data. (see the attached images)
Probably I am missing something or I am not authorized to use this functions.
Velimir (PVEA)
I don't see any
Hi Velimir
I don't see any images attached to your post.
A couple of questions:
Note that you need to be an AAVSO member to use BSM and APASS plug-ins but not to use the plug-in manager.
David (BDJB)
Hello Velimir
About June 10th, all the passwords had to be reset (Changed) as a result of the security breach. Have you changed your password since then?
Gary
Sorry but
Hi David and Gary,
Sorry but I have forgotten to attach the images. Now it is done.
I have reset and change my password after the security breach.
Velimir (PVEA)
Thanks for that
Hi Velimir
Thanks for that suggestion Gary. It crossed my mind then I forgot to mention it.
I wonder whether this is related to VStar's use of the new authentication implementation. Have you tried logging into Zapper, SeqPlot, or SunEntry? That may help to narrow things down further since these tools and VStar talk to the same authentication interface now.
David
Not any problem to
Hi David,
Not any problem to log-in to Zapper, SeqPlot, or SunEntry, everything works.
The situation with VStar remains the same. I cannot log-in to "File / New star from APASS …”
Velimir (PVEA)
Okay, I'll have to
Hi Velimir
Okay, I'll have to talk with Sara and Will about this tonight (it's Monday morning in Australia). It may be related to how VStar is talking to the new authentication API.
Are others seeing this problem?
David
Hi David,
The other thing that I notice is the use of a comma by default while in my system is necessary to use a point. I mean the function “Analysis / Phase Plot”. I have to change the comma with a point manually each time otherwise it returns wrong Period and Epoch in the graph. When I manually change them everything is going well. It is not a problem and I can to do this but I decide just to mention it.
Please compare the numbers in Phase Plot window and these below star title in the attached images. I hope do not forget to attach them again.
Velimir (PVEA)
Given the nature
Hi Velimir
Given the nature of the phase plot problem, I've started a separate forum topic for this:
http://www.aavso.org/numbers-and-locales-eg-05-vs-05-vstar
Could you reply there re: that issue?
Thanks.
David
Hi Velimir,
I just did a quick check of our records of your account information (membership status, the fact that you have changed your password since the big reset, etc.) and everything seems to be in order from that point of view. David and I will talk about the authentication procedure to try to solve this mystery.
In the meantime, would you please check to see that you don't have two copies of the APASS plugin installed in your computer - the old one as well as the new one? If there is only one copy, it might be a good idea to delete it and re-install it again to be sure you have the latest. I know for certain that the old version will no longer work. Also please remember that after you install the new version, you must close VStar then open it again for it to take effect.
Please let us know if that helps. If not, we will continue to pursue other possibilities.
Best regards, Sara
Thanks Sara.
Velimir, can you also tell us whether the time taken for you to see the "Invalid username or password" message is small? Does it seem to be going off to check against a server (a couple of seconds) or returning with the message immediately?
David
Also, can you tell us whether or not you ever used your username and password with VStar before 2.16.2 (this release).
David
Hi Sara, hi David,
I highly appreciate your efforts.
Firstly for Sara questions:
I have not two copies of APASS plugin in the plugin folder. I have attached two screenshots for you.
I always have used the web based VStar, not installed locally in my computer. Now I have got the latest plugins from the AAVSO web site: vstar-plugins-2.16.1 and replaced the old ones. The situation is the same, everything works well but only “File / New star from APASS …” does not accept my user name and password.
Secondly for David questions:
Best regards,
Velimir
Hi David,
I decided to try out version 2.16.7 on a windows platform with the most recent version of Java installed and it will not authenticate me for the plug-in manager. The problem is similar as those described above. Do I need to send Sara an email about this or ???
JoDee
Hi JoDee
Hmm. I'll look at this.
What version of Windows are you trying this on? I have access to a Win7 and Win8 computer at home currently.
David
Hello Sarah and David,
I have a similar problem (Win7 and XP), can't connect to the server for "New Star from AAVSO Database" ...
The little DOS-window - when starting VSTAR.exe locally - shows an error message, see attachment, maybe that can provide a clue?
Best,
Helmar (AHM)
I just tried running VStar (2.16.7) on my husband's Win 7 computer with Java Version 8, update 45 and had no problem logging in and requesting data on a star from the AID.
Is the problem still happening for everyone else?
-Sara
Hi Sara,
Same Win OS, same Java version, but no joy here...
Best,
Helmar (AHM)
P.S.: I am also not asked for any log-on credentials...
Hi Helmar,
VStar no longer asks for log on credentials (and hasn't for quite a long time now) unless you are either reporting a discrepant observation to AAVSO HQ or using one of the "members-only" plugins to get the APASS or BSM Epoch Photometry. You shouldn't have to log in to do a regular data request from the AID.
I wonder if you could be using an older version of the VStar .jnlp file? Maybe you should try deleting it and downloading it again from here: http://www.aavso.org/vstar-overview
-Sara
I just realized
Hi Helmar,
I just realized that you are talking about running VStar locally rather than using the Java Web Start version. Are you sure you have the latest and greatest version of VStar itself (2.16.7)?
-Sara
Hello Sara,
You might be right that I confused the "old style" log in with the new "Web Start Technology".
However, I tried both versions (one using the V2.16.7 java download button) - no difference.
First I tried to download a star from the AAVSO database (no credentials asked): A little red hand appears in right bottom corner when it tries "connecting to AAVSO database" for several minutes (no error message), but nothing else happens...
When I try to download from BSM database, credentials are asked (I put in my AAVSO credentials), then the red hand appears right away and an error message pops up: "Authentication error: org.aavso.tools.vstar.exception.Authentication error: Authentication fails"
I guess you don't like me anymore (I paid my membership fee, but Mike asks for more...)
Your turn now...
Cheers,
Helmar (AHM)
Don't worry, I'm not mad at you, Helmar.
I just want to solve the problem(s) you are having...
This probably complicated the issue, but I just found out that from sometime yesterday afternoon until about half an hour ago, the authentication feature of VStar (and SunEntry) was disabled inadvertently by our webmaster while he was working on something else. It is now working again.
So please try checking things again now to see if it makes any difference when you try to log in to download BSM data.
As for the star not loading, that seems to me like it could be a different problem. What star were you requesting and what was the date range for it? Please don't tell me you asked for all the data for SS Cygni because that would take a looooong time!
-Sara
Hi JoDee,
Are you able to log in to the AAVSO website with the same credentials? If not, please let me know by email and I will re-set your password for you. As far as I can see, nothing has changed with your account.
-Sara
Hi Sara,
I can log onto the AAVSO site just fine. I am trying to use VStar from my work computer and Iam wondering if there is a firewall issue because I still cannot get to the plug ins or load a new star from the AID. I will try a computer off campus as soon as I can and let you know if the problem still persists. ( I know the firewall issue is nothing you can solve.)
JoDee
Hi JoDee,
I know that others have had problems with firewalls at work so my guess is you are right about that being the cause of your troubles. After all, what you are doing with VStar is connecting to our cloud server and passing data back and forth - exactly what firewalls are set up to prevent!
Please try everything at home and let us know how it goes.
Thanks, Sara