Suvarnabhumi Ctx Scanners On Again After Virus Halts Baggage System

[george]

Suvarnabhumi CTX scanners on again after virus halts baggage system

BANGKOK: -- Sixteen of 26 disabled CTX scanner units at the Thai capital's glistening new Suvarnabhumi airport were up and running again Thursday afternoon after airport technicians restored service in the wake of a virus intrusion explained as likely human error in using the technology.

International and domestic air passengers departing Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport Wednesday night encountered baggage-handling problems and related inconveniences due to a breakdown in security scanning equipment.

Senior officials at Airports of Thailand Pcl, Ltd. (AoT) reported that an airport worker had accidentally introduced the virus which closed down the system, but by late Thursday most units were running normally.

Technicians from InVision Inc., the American company which supplied all 26 computer tomography X-ray (CTX) machines installed at Thailand's new showcase air hub, Suvarnabhumi, are on their way to Bangkok to repair 13 CTX machines which failed Wednesday night, a senior official said.

The controversial scanners are at the centre of investigations probing inappropriate expenditures on the part of the former government of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The CTX machines were installed in the eastern wing of the passenger terminal, and when the critical inspection machines failed over 100 military personnel were called in to help carry passenger baggage. The problems also paralysed the conveyor belt system.

Initial investigation found that AoT officials manning the CTX machines had brought other programmes and put them into the scanners, causing a computer virus which affected the server and problems eventually.

Assistant army chief Gen. Saprang Kalayanamitr, also AoT board chairman, said he had ordered concerned officials to identify the cause of the failure and to plan a long-term plan to prevent a similar problem from occurring again in future.

So far there has been no report that passenger bags were misplaced or left behind at the airport after the scanners broke down.

--TNA 2007-06-21

[Scott]

Smugglers take note!

Unless they bring those two mangey dogs from Chaing Rai that like to pee on the luggage.

[Johpa]

Suvarnabhumi CTX scanners on again after virus halts baggage system

.........Initial investigation found that AoT officials manning the CTX machines had brought other programmes and put them into the scanners, causing a computer virus which affected the server and problems eventually.

--TNA 2007-06-21

Let me get this correct, AoT people went out and bought either video games or porn at Panthip Plaza and then loaded it onto the computers connected to the CTX machines to use as entertainment when there was no baggage to scan.

Only in Thailand! :D

[steveromagnino]

Let me get this correct, AoT people went out and bought either video games or porn at Panthip Plaza and then loaded it onto the computers connected to the CTX machines to use as entertainment when there was no baggage to scan.

Only in Thailand! :D

I doubt that is corect, the CTX is a finely tuned piece of equipment and so I suspect they would not be loading Pantip software on it for goodness sake!

Besides which the IT area in Seacon is much closer, it is a hel_l of a drive to get to Pantip to buy copies of Nong Prik for watching at work.

[pampal]

Smugglers take note!

Unless they bring those two mangey dogs from Chaing Rai that like to pee on the luggage.

The CTX scanners detect explosives

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CTX_(explosiv...tection_device)

[plachon]

Smugglers take note!

Unless they bring those two mangey dogs from Chaing Rai that like to pee on the luggage.

I thought they were sacked for getting a bit intimate with lady passenger's legs?

[A_Traveller]

Looks like {TV} they are trying to say that the electricity {fluctuation?} was the cause of the problem, not a virus.

Well I'm relieved that the problem was not some twit with a USB stick but the electrical supply system for the almost brand spanking new airport.

Regards

PS Oh... bugger......

/edit mad typist//

Edited June 22, 2007 by A_Traveller

[Kan Win]

Uncertain repair timeframe for Suvannabhumi CTX scanners

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) - A exact timetable for completing repairs of damaged CTX scanners at the Thai capital's new Suvarnabhumi airport is not yet possible, Admiral Bannawit Kengrian, chief of the National Legislative Assembly's Transport Committee said.

"Ten CTX scanners sustained serious damage and six of them need special replacement parts," Adm. Bannawit said.

Due to the specialised technology involved, "prior approval of the Office of Atoms for Peace is necessary. Therefore, it is not yet possible to tell when the repairs will be finished."

Adm. Bannawit made the statements Thursday after inspecting the passenger hall in Suvarnabhumi following a report of breakdowns involving 16 CTX scanners.

However, six scanners have already been repaired and have resumed functioning, but the remaining ten scanners require a team of experts and replacement parts from abroad.

In addition, six of the ten scanners sustained serious damage from their radiation emitting equipment. Nuclear technology equipment needs to be imported with approval by the Office of Atoms for Peace, an approval process whose timeframe is unknown.

Adm. Bannawit also dismissed a report suggesting an inappropriate programme download as the cause of the damage.

"This apparatus is a special computer that does not accept any other programmes. The problem stemmed from the fact that the CTX scanners received an irregular power supply causing the scanners to stop functioning. In spite of restarting them, the machines do not resume functioning," he said.

(TNA)-E002

[chinthee]

<deleted>, Nuclear technology equipement? And I thought that glowing in my laptop keyboard was a special feature. Better go get checked.

[Tony Clifton]

Eventually, someone was due to change the ringtone.

[A_Traveller]

<deleted>, Nuclear technology equipement? And I thought that glowing in my laptop keyboard was a special feature. Better go get checked.

Scanners use X-Ray sources, which as in a CAT scanner from which the technology is developed, have radiological components.

I'm not sure of the Atoms for Peace point, though, thought the CTX's were directly supported {irrespective of the purchase} by GE Security now. I thought, though I may be wrong, that the technology would be similarly managed to a hospital scanner.

The original company, In-Vision was purchased by GE. As an aside questionable practices {by the third party distributors} were identified and a fine paid during the purchase process.

Regards

[Crossy]

If, as reported, the source of the damage was power supply problems, couple of questions come to mind:-

Why were these delicate devices not protected by UPS / voltage stabilisers in a country known for its iffy electrical supply?

and, more worrying :-

Are the other delicate hi-tech airport systems such as Air Traffic Control equipment equally vunerable to similar failures? To me, this issue is far more alarming than any cracks in the runways.

[tjo o tjim]

It sounds like the reference to the power supply is that the emitters were not properly regulated during a system crash (the virus) and were damaged, not an input power spike. Sadly, that type of computer is often designed to be in a secured location with sufficient protections to prevent someone from installing any conflicting software... but when it gets to the field all gloves are off.

I think it is a "build a better idiot" argument to idiot-proofing...

[The Snark]

ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING MY *** OFF!!

Imagine getting an angiogram in a hospital and the x-ray techs trying to time the injection and imaging to the lights dimming as the power fluctuates.

X-ray equipment MUST go on dedicated circuits with overduty auto-xformers, you dimwits!! Check the average accredited hospital if you need some help with wiring it.

You could put the puppies on UPS units, but we are talking some massive pieces of equipment. The sensible approach is as hospitals do it: Emergency stand by generators.

Now for your math test. Which costs more. A half dozen Caterpillar 150KW generators and automatic transfer switching, or GE techs which cost, last I checked, $180 per hour per from the minute they go out the door? (No, GE is not responsible and won't warrantee equipment because of power brown outs or other 'equipment abuse'. I've worked with those guys before. $75,000 bill to straighten out the wiring in a CAT room because to local electrical company didn't have a clue. $180 per hour x 24 hours per day x 6 days x 3 techs.)

Edited June 23, 2007 by The Snark

[lingling]

Undervoltage according to The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23...al_30037633.php

Now, here's the worrying part:

He also affirmed that the CTX malfunction would not affect airport security, as officials will check passengers' baggage personally.

Translation: expect an increase in thefts from checked in luggage.

[The Snark]

Undervoltage according to The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23...al_30037633.php

Now, here's the worrying part:

He also affirmed that the CTX malfunction would not affect airport security, as officials will check passengers' baggage personally.

Translation: expect an increase in thefts from checked in luggage.

Let's see, a virus introduced into a proprietary operating system that only effects some of the scanners.

The fact is, the scanners are on the same main load circuits with the air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

[Jai Dee]

Crippled bomb scanners at Suvarnabhumi fully functional next week

At least five malfunctioning CTX baggage scanners at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be up and running again next week after experiencing some technical glitches this week, according to the airport director.

There has been no report that passenger baggage was delayed, misplaced or left behind at the airport after the scanners broke down Wednesday night. Over 100 military personnel were called in to help carry baggage.

Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanond said Saturday that key spare parts of the machines will be delivered to Thailand next Tuesday. At least five scanners, now temporarily out of order, will be fixed to function normally by the end of next week.

Now sixteen of 26 CTX scanners remain in use at the airport. The airport director explained that the problem resulted from the expired x-ray tube in the machines.

However, GE Invisions Inc., the American company which supplied all 26 computer tomography X-ray (CTX) machines installed at Thailand's new airport, had provided no spare parts to replace them as the last installment the AOT owed the company has not yet been paid.

The company later agreed to fix and provide the spare parts as the problems occurred within the two-year warranty period. The machines have been in use since February 2006.

Source: TNA - 23 June 2007

[Mid]

expired x-ray tube in the machines.

more bullocks ...............

no maintenance schedule , no-one knew they were expiring ??

utter self serving crap.

[lingling]

However, GE Invisions Inc., the American company which supplied all 26 computer tomography X-ray (CTX) machines installed at Thailand's new airport, had provided no spare parts to replace them as the last installment the AOT owed the company has not yet been paid.

The non-payment may have something to do with it...