We have detected that you are using Internet Explorer to visit this website. Internet Explorer is now being phased out by Microsoft. As a result, NHS Digital no longer supports any version of Internet Explorer for our web-based products, as it involves considerable extra effort and expense, which cannot be justified from public funds. Some features on this site will not work. You should use a modern browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If you have difficulty installing or accessing a different browser, contact your IT support team.
HSCN technical guidance
Guidance, policy and best practice documents covering all technical aspects of HSCN. Documents on this page will be regularly reviewed and updated by NHS Digital as required.
Forms
The HSCN Internet Access Form
The HSCN Internet Access Form replaces the Data Security Centre (DSC) HSCN ANM Firewall Change Request Form.
The form can be used if:
- your CNSP has advised the port you are trying to access is not an allowed any/any port and you still require access
- your CNSP has advised you are trying to access something that has been placed on the deny list, but you still require access - these requests will only be approved in exceptional and business critical circumstances
- you had access to a site on the Transition Network (previously N3) but you do not have the same access on HSCN
Once completed, the form should be sent to the NHS Digital National Service Desk (NSD) via your local IT support route. When they get the form the NHS Digital DSC will assess the request and either make the necessary changes and confirm this to you or respond to advise that the request cannot be authorised.
Download the HSCN Internet Access Form
For further details and guidance on using this form please see HSCN internet access issues guidance.
You can contact the NHS Digital National Service Desk by:
Telephone: 0300 303 5035
E-mail: ssd.nationalservicedesk@nhs.net
National Service Desk portal (TN or HSCN connection required): https://nww.serviceportal.digital.nhs.uk/CherwellPortal/NHSD
HSCN QoS change request form
To request a change to a QoS configuration, download the change request form.
On the form, provide as much detail as you can, including: full contact details; information about the application and the reason for the configuration change; and the QoS class, IP address, and port/protocol (if applicable).
Email the completed change request form to the NHS Digital National Service Desk (NSD).
For further details and guidance see HSCN QoS - change requests and end-to-end configuration.
HSCN customer requirements discovery form
The HSCN customer requirements discovery form has been designed to support organisations migrating from the Transition Network to HSCN in capturing and consolidating information regarding their existing network estate and IT services.
The aim of capturing this information is to allow organisations to record what connections and services will be impacted by their migration to HSCN and prompt them to consider what replacement or new services they will require their HSCN CNSP to provide.
Information captured can be used to inform discussions with your chosen HSCN CNSP.
Policies and technical guidance for suppliers and users of HSCN
HSCN IP address management
Find all information relating to IP address management under HSCN, including the HSCN IP addressing policy, IP addressing good practice guidelines, IPAM process and change request forms.
HSCN Quality of Service overview
Quality of Service (QoS) is a set of techniques to manage resources within a communications network. This page provides details of QoS implementation across HSCN.
HSCN quality of service - change requests and end-to-end configuration
The processes to be followed by consumers of Transition Network (TN) and HSCN services, and national application providers to request a change to a quality of service (QoS) configuration.
HSCN/Transition Network DNS
This document provides an overview of the Domain Name System on HSCN and the Transition Network, and the Domain Name System change request process.
Transition Network guidance for DNS local forwarding and server configuration
This document is intended for NHS 'end-user' organisations connected to the Transition Network (TN), who have opted for local DNS provision.
HSCN readiness testing guidance note
This document describes activities which will help a HSCN customer identify and resolve potential migration related risks, ahead of time, which would otherwise cause issues during their live migration.
Migrating an existing Transition Network VPN to HSCN
Guidance and considerations for migrating any existing virtual private networks set up on the Transition Network to HSCN.
HSCN connectivity options
The Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) programme will provide new and significantly different network services to the N3 network it succeeds.
Business Applications Guidance
This document provides guidance on procuring standard business applications to replace N3 overlays and is aimed at health and social care organisations moving to HSCN from N3.
HSCN: private IT service provider connecting from outside of England’s borders policy
This policy outlines the approved scenarios and criteria under which IT service providers can offer services over HSCN when based outside of England’s borders.
Migrating voice and video conferencing services from the Transition Network to HSCN
Information and guidance for organisations migrating voice and video conferencing services to HSCN from the Transition Network.
HSCN connectivity troubleshooting guide
This connectivity troubleshooting guide will assist in isolating the cause of basic connectivity issues when using HSCN. It includes network connectivity, web page and web application connectivity issues.
Maintaining access to internet services after migrating to HSCN
An explanation of how the Transition Network and HSCN use IP addresses to restrict access to authorised users and how they access services and applications over the internet.
Troubleshooting guide - HSCN IP network connectivity
This guidance document provides a step by step guide to using specific tools and techniques that will resolve or rule out issues that commonly cause network connectivity problems.
HSCN internet access issues guidance
This guidance supports HSCN consumers who request access to blocked internet resources.
NHS Network Time Protocol guidance
The NHS Network Time Protocol (NTP) guidance describes the standards that NHS organisations should use to implement their NTP. This guidance will ensure they select and configure an appropriate NTP implementation based against their use cases and requirements.
HSCN CoIN migration guidance: maintaining interconnectivity
A description of community of interest networks (CoINs) and who uses them, guidance on maintaining interconnectivity during a CoIN migration and advice for migrating a Split CoIN.
Guidance on public cloud connectivity to HSCN
Guidelines to define how Public Cloud provisioned services should be accessed by HSCN connected organisations and consumers.
Public WiFi over HSCN Access Circuits
This Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) public Wi-Fi over HSCN guide will assist in understanding and decision making when providing public Wi-Fi over HSCN access circuits.