Bug: What happened to the S2 API server? Is the server under attack?

[hrbust-zlz]

Describe the Bug I failed on requesting entry https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search. For unauthenticated users, the response is status code 429. When I try the python example in https://www.semanticscholar.org/product/api/tutorial#key with my own API key, the response is status code 500 or 504. I tried a manual search of keyword "quantum computing" on the webpage https://www.semanticscholar.org/, the "matching papers" recommendation works, but the search result shows error code 502 or 504. The webpage https://api.semanticscholar.org/api-docs/ is also influenced, it shows a message "Too Many Requests. Please wait and try again or apply for a key for higher rate limits. https://www.semanticscholar.org/product/api#api-key-form" in the browser. It's a status code 429 too.

To Reproduce Even the python example in https://www.semanticscholar.org/product/api/tutorial#key does not work...

Expected Behavior At least return a status code 200 please...

Actual Behavior The API returns status code 500 or 504.

Environment Details Platform: Windows 10 22H2 Browser: Google Chrome 122.0.6261.95

[jamesbraza]

+1 to this, I think it's an uncaught downtime. I also think the status page should check this endpoint, to better assess for downtime

[cfiorelli]

Hello everyone, We are working to manage a large spike in traffic which occurred overnight. We have observed in this and a similar very recent event that the status page is not capturing this type of traffic event. Work will be planned and actioned to reflect these unique events as a part of our efforts to improve over the near to mid term.

Please be aware you can also participate or simply monitor discussion via our slack community at https://join.slack.com/t/semanticschol-xyj3882/shared_invite/zt-2404ykgp1-UQMhlKNR71crDEEEldDjNg

thank you all. Christopher, Semantic Scholar

[jamesbraza]

Hi Christopher, apparently the Slack is only for people with certain email domains. I don't have one of those :/ so I can't join. I want to join though

Can you expand the Slack to allow for other domains?

[cfiorelli]

Hmm this is not how that should behave. 1 moment checking into this

[cfiorelli]

I see slack started (or always has?) rotating the invite link in a way which

• a new link has 30 days and allows any email
• [assumption from above] past 30 days the link rotates into requiring only some domains (which i lack backstory on why this is)

@jamesbraza here's an updated link which should work

https://join.slack.com/t/semanticschol-xyj3882/shared_invite/zt-2e6vky451-fmp5TyRlRoeOzk0rov7MUA

[jamesbraza]

@cfiorelli thanks for investigating. Your last comment doesn't have a Slack invite link, did you forget to paste one into the message?

[cfiorelli]

@jamesbraza thanks for letting me know. earlier comment updated!

[jamesbraza]

I was able to join, thanks 👍

[cfiorelli]

Closing as we have responded with information regarding ongoing work happening at Semantic Scholar to recover from heavier traffic than usual + a link to join our slack community where users can more easily monitor updates: https://join.slack.com/t/semanticschol-xyj3882/shared_invite/zt-2e6vky451-fmp5TyRlRoeOzk0rov7MUA