Network Infrastructure
Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform is experiencing significant disruptions due to multiple undersea fiber optic cables being severed in the Red Sea. The company has confirmed that users may face delays and increased latency for services dependent on internet traffic passing through the Middle East. However, data has been rerouted to prevent a complete outage.
Incident Details
The issue commenced at approximately 05:45 UTC on Saturday, Sep 6, 2024. Microsoft reported that network traffic through the Middle East may encounter increased latency due to these undersea cable cuts. The company assured customers that service was not interrupted as traffic was redirected through alternate network paths. Nonetheless, higher latency is expected for some traffic that previously traversed the Middle East. No details have been provided regarding the cause of the cable damage.
The Impact of Latency
Increased latency affects businesses and users relying on Azure by leading to slower response times for applications, websites, and data access. Although not a full-scale outage, these delays can impact performance-sensitive operations, such as financial transactions, real-time data processing, and cloud-hosted services that require near-instantaneous communication. Data rerouting, while necessary, results in information traveling a longer, less direct path, causing noticeable lag for users in various regions.
The Red Sea is a crucial corridor for global internet connectivity, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. A significant portion of the world’s internet data passes through the subsea cables laid on its seabed. Damage in this narrow channel can have a disproportionately large impact on international connectivity.
Ongoing Monitoring and Updates
Microsoft confirmed that network traffic not routed through the Middle East remains unaffected by the incident. The company is actively monitoring the situation and has promised to provide daily updates to its customers. The last communication was logged at 19:52 UTC on Sep 7, 2024. The focus remains on managing network performance via alternate routes while awaiting further information on the repair of the damaged deep-sea infrastructure. The cause of the cuts is still under investigation.
