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Development environments
Find out how to connect to the development environments, services available, build version, maintenance slots and scheduled changes.
Page contents
- Top of page
- How the development environments should be used
- How to connect to the environment
- Connection information
- Portal URLs
- System URLs
- Messaging URLs
- Outbound Network Address Translation (NAT) addresses
- Spine application URLs
- Development NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) URLs
- RootCA and SubCA Certificates
- Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) keystore files to download
- Registry settings required to connect to the spine development environments
- Services available in the development environments
- Smartcard services
- Environment build versions
- Maintenance slots and scheduled changes
- Change related activity
How the development environments should be used
The development environments should be used by suppliers who are implementing the early design, development and system test phases within their own test environment(s) against the Spine Core, Spine Care Identity Service (CIS) and NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) national systems.
The e-RS Dev1 environment provides e-RS services using the Spine Core development environment for messaging.
The e-RS Dev3 environment is specifically designed for e-RS API development and functionality testing also using the Spine Core development environment for messaging
What the development environments should not be used for
The development environments do not:
- replace the integration environments as the formal integration test environment
- provide right of access to any other environments during environment downtime or any other form of unavailability
- form part of the formal Path to Live - supplier testing in this type of environment is not mandatory for receiving any type of NHS Digital approval for rollout
How to connect to the environment
Before you start
You will need to:
- have a connection to the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) - the secure NHS network (if you do not have a connection or are experiencing problems connecting, contact your network provider)
- request access to test data (email: testdata@nhs.net)
- request smartcards if required - you must have a valid smartcard to user certain services, including the Care Identity Service (CIS) - if you do not have a valid smartcard please email: platforms.supportdesk@nhs.net
- register the messaging product using a Manufacturer, product and version (MPV) form if required
- register your message handling service with the Spine by requesting an endpoint (an authorised connection to Spine) to be created unless you have an endpoint administrator in your organisation who can do this for you - please complete the endpoint admin access request form (epr) to manage your own endpoints
- register your Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) with the NHS DNS team
- download Identity Agent Client software
More detailed guidance of the connection process
Additional guidance to support the connection process
Further assistance
Contact us for further assistance. Email: platforms.supportdesk@nhs.net
Connection information
A full list of URLs and associated IP addresses are provided below to help you connect to the development environments.
Local firewall administrators should allow communication to the IP addresses as necessary using these details.
Portal URLs
These are the connection URLs for the Care Identity Service (CIS) portal and associated applications.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
Used for the CSA service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/summarycarerecord | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for self service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/spineselfservice | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for the alert service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/spinealertservice | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for the DSA service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/demographicspineapplication | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for the ETP admin service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/prescriptionsadmin | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for the SRS service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/spinereportingservice | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Used for the MOLES service | https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/moles | nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.24 | TCP 443 |
Portal page with links used to access Spine Core and CIS applications | https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk | portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk | See system URL section below | TCP 443 |
System URLs
These are the connection URLs for the services required to run or connect to applications. Due to the move of this environment to AWS, the IP addresses of the following are not constant. Customers will need to open their firewalls to the IP address range of 10.239.67.128/25 to ports 636 (LDAP) and 443 (Sbapi, Gas and Dev Portal (see above)). If you are using hard-coded IP addresses e.g. in a hosts file, you will need modify your application to use the DNS service names.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
This is the LDAPS protocol service to the directory. This is a service used by other services accessing the SPINE for directory lookups. |
ldaps://ldap.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/<LDAP QUERY> <LDAP QUERY> - the query to the directory may be contained within the URL |
ldap.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk |
see above | TCP 636 |
This name exists for Smart Card authentications from the PC and is not a user service |
Client Side GAC URL: https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authlogout Server Side GAS URL: https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authvalidate |
gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk | see above | TCP 443 |
Used to access ID server and is not a user based service. These URLs will only be used by application developers and are included here for completeness - this URL is case sensitive |
Naming Service: https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/amserver/namingservice Role Assertion: https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleAssertion |
sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk | see above | TCP 443 |
Messaging URLs
These are the messaging URLs for all Spine services.
Spine party key
A party key is a unique reference for a particular organisation and set of contract properties. Several party keys can exist at the same organisation and will start with the Organisation Data Service (ODS) code.
For the development environment, the party key is: YES-0000806.
All messaging properties should be obtained from this party key using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) service URL listed below.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
Used for all domain synchronous messaging This is also the service entry point for NN4B messages |
https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/sync-service | msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.29 | TCP 443 |
Used for all domain reliable messaging. | https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/reliablemessaging/reliablerequest | msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.29 | TCP 443 |
Used for all domain unreliable messaging | https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/reliablemessaging/queryrequest | msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.29 | TCP 443 |
Used for all domain intermediary messaging | https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/reliablemessaging/intermediary | msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.29 | TCP 443 |
Used to access the gazetteer postcode look up service Gazetteer is a web service so will be called by other applications using this URL. This is not a user service |
https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/addressfinder/query | msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.29 | TCP 443 |
Used for all SMSP messaging. Now uses TLS1.2 |
https://simple-sync.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/smsp/pds | simple-sync.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.39 | TCP 443 |
Used for all SMSP messaging. Now uses TLS1.2 |
https://proxy.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/[provider service root url]/[fhir request] | proxy.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.34 | TCP 443 |
Outbound Network Address Translation (NAT) addresses
Local firewall administrators should allow communication from these IP addresses.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
All messages will be sent out as coming from msg-out.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk Nothing will ever be sent to this domain name. This is included for clarity and firewall rules only |
No URL | msg-out.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | 10.239.14.104 | TCP 443 |
Outbound token events to registered listeners will be sent from this address Nothing will ever be sent to this domain name. This is included for clarity and firewall rules only CIS will respond on the port number specified by the client request |
No URL | Not applicable | 10.196.94.115 | TCP 443 |
Spine application URLs
This is a full list of URLs for the applications in the development environment.
Area | URL |
---|---|
Summary Care Record (SCR) |
https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/summarycarerecord/ |
SCR 1-Click |
http://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/oneclickscr/LSPValidator.jsp |
SAML |
https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleAssertion |
EPS Prescription Tracker |
https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/prescriptionsadmin/ |
Care ID Service (Smartcard Management) |
https://wfe.dev.iam.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/urswebapp/ |
End Point Registration Service (EPR) |
https://wfe.dev.iam.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/eprwebapp/ |
Spine Reporting Service |
https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/spinereportingservice/ |
Demographic Spine Application (DSA) |
https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/demographicspineapplication/ |
Data Access Service (DAS) |
https://susportal.ota.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/Ardentia |
NDS Admin Portal |
https://susportal.ota.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/Ardentia/portal/jsp/index.jsp |
TES Alert Viewer |
https://nww.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk/spinealertservice/ |
SUS: Business Intelligence |
https://susportal.ota.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/susportal/ |
Development NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) URLs
There are 2 e-RS environments associated with the development environments, Dev1 and Dev3.
Dev1
The party key is: YEU-1808939.
The Accredited System ID (ASID) is: 753468248012. This is a unique reference for a particular system. Different systems may have different ASIDs.
The IP addresses and URLs below are used to access e-RS.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
Professional webapp | https://nww.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | nww.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.150 | TCP 443 |
Patient Webapp | https://nww.pwa.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | nww.pwa.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.151 | TCP 443 |
e-RS API | https://api.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | api.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.153 | TCP 443 |
Messaging endpoint | https://mhsin.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | mhsin.dev1.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.152 | TCP 443 |
Dev3
The party key is: YEF-820397
The Accredited System ID (ASID) is: 200000000296.
The IP addresses and URLs below are used to access e-RS.
Description | URL | DNS name | IP address | Port |
---|---|---|---|---|
Professional webapp | https://nww.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | nww.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.230 | TCP 443 |
Patient webapp | https://nww.pwa.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | nww.pwa.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.231 | TCP 443 |
e-RS API | https://api.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | api.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.233 | TCP 443 |
Messaging endpoint | https://mhsin.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | mhsin.dev3.ers.ncrs.nhs.uk | 155.231.120.232 | TCP 443 |
RootCA and SubCA Certificates
In order to establish connection to the development environments, a chain of trust must be set up using the RootCA and SubCA certificates.
- Copy the required RootCA or SubCA certificate
- Open Notepad or similar and paste the certificate - save the file locally with a suitable file name
- Locate the locally saved text file and change the file extension from .txt to .der
- Import the certificate into the local trusted certificate store - use the documentation from your software supplier as this may vary between applications
Please note that the:
- RootCA should be placed in 'Trusted Root Certification Authorities'
- SubCA should be placed in 'Intermediate Certification Authorities'
RootCA (NHS PTL Root)
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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-----END CERTIFICATE-----
plaintext
SubCA (NHS DEV Level 1C)
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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-----END CERTIFICATE-----
plaintext
Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) keystore files to download
The following MESH keystore needs to be downloaded and installed as part of the MESH client installation.
Environment | Primary URL | Keystore Path | Keystore |
---|---|---|---|
Development | https://msg.dev.spine2.ncrs.nhs.uk | C:\MESH-APP-HOME\Keystore\meshdev.keystore | meshDEV |
Full details can be found in the MESH client installation pack. The environment specific information required is listed below. The password should have been provided when the MESH mailbox was first requested.
If you have any questions, email: platforms.supportdesk@nhs.net
Registry settings required to connect to the spine development environments
In order to access the Spine Development environment, changes are required to the user's computer registry. The exact changes depend on the version of the Identity Agent (IA) Client being used, and whether the operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
- Copy the relevant text to a Notepad file and save it to your desktop
- Rename the file, changing the file extension from .txt to .reg
- Double-click on the file to run it
N.B. You will need administrator access to change registry settings on your computer. If you do not have this you should contact your local support team to run the file for you.
Registry File HSCIC Identity Agent 2 (64-bit) Spine Development
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\HSCIC\Identity Agent]
"ActivatePOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate"
"LaunchAppsPath"="https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk"
"MobilityPersistence_Available"="False"
"SessionLockPersistence_Enabled"="False"
plaintext
Registry File HSCIC Identity Agent 2 (32-bit) Spine Development
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HSCIC\Identity Agent]
"ActivatePOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate"
"LaunchAppsPath"="https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk"
"MobilityPersistence_Available"="False"
"SessionLockPersistence_Enabled"="False"
plaintext
Registry File HSCIC Identity Agent 1 (64-bit) Spine Development
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\HSCIC\Identity Agent]
"ActivatePOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate"
"RoleSelectionGETPOSTURL"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleSelectionGP.jsp"
"LogoffPOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authlogout"
"LaunchAppsPath"="https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk"
plaintext
Registry File HSCIC Identity Agent 1 (32-bit) Spine Development
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HSCIC\Identity Agent]
"ActivatePOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate"
"RoleSelectionGETPOSTURL"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleSelectionGP.jsp"
"LogoffPOSTURL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authlogout"
"LaunchAppsPath"="https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk"
plaintext
Registry File BT Identity Agent (IA13) Spine Development
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Gemplus\GAC]
"Activate.URL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authactivate"
"Logout.URL"="https://gas.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/login/authlogout"
"Authentication.StartBrowser.Url"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleSelectionWT.jsp?token=<SSO_TICKET>"
"Device.id"="1ef2f9cc"
"UpdateWatcher.enable"=dword:00000000
"Device.id.URL"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/ssb/DeviceIDLogger?ipaddress=<IP_ADR>&latestdeviceid=<DEVICE_ID>&storeddeviceid=<OLD_DEVICE_ID>&token=<SSO_TICKET>"
"Authentication.StartBrowser.Url"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleSelectionWT.jsp?token=<SSO_TICKET>"
"RoleSelection.URL"="https://sbapi.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk/saml/RoleSelectionGP.jsp?token=<SSO_TICKET>&selectedRoleUid=<ROLE_UID>&ssbMode=<MODE>&gacVersion=<GAC_VERSION>&fallbackStatus=<FALLBACK>"
"Portal.URL"="https://portal.vn03.national.ncrs.nhs.uk"
plaintext
Services available in the development environments
Spine Core Messaging and Spine Core applications
The Spine Core service provides a messaging service that allows certified endpoint message handling systems to query and update data held in the national demographic and prescriptions systems.
The Spine Core systems also supports the e-RS national systems by providing a messaging interface between e-RS and referrers and providers. Also included in the Spine Core service are the Graphic User Interface (GUI) based Summary Care Record application (SCRa) and Demographic Spine Application (DSA). These allow Spine Core data to be manipulated without a messaging interface.
Spine Mini Service Provider
The Spine Mini Service Provider makes available an interface to submit a limited number of demographic messages in a simple format.
Spine Secure Proxy
The Spine Secure Proxy provides a simpler interface to local systems for demographic messaging, allowing quick recovery of details without the requirements of full integration. Messaging functionality is limited to retrievals and simple trace. Updates are not supported.
Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH)
The Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) provides a workflow based data transfer service that allows registered users to exchange data between secure mailboxes. It is used to support services such as the transfer of Pathology data between labs and hospitals and electronic discharge notes to community medical teams for patients leaving hospital care.
Care Identity Service (CIS)
The Care Identity Service (CIS) controls user access to data held in the national systems. Users access is via a smartcard and uses Role Based Access Control. Both smartcards and Access control are managed within the CIS application. Certification and management of message handling systems is also managed within the CIS application.
NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)
The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) combines electronic booking with a choice of place, date and time for first hospital or clinic appointments. Patients can choose their initial hospital or clinic appointment, book it in the GP surgery at the point of referral, or later at home on the phone or online.
NHS e-Referral Service Application Programming Interface (e-RS API)
The NHS e-Referral Service Application Programming Interface (e-RS API) service allows patient systems to perform clinical actions within the e-RS application via an external API interface.
Smartcard services
You will need a valid smartcard to use certain services including the Care Identity Service (CIS).
If you do not have a valid smartcard, email: platforms.supportdesk@nhs.net
Environment build versions
Current versions of the national system applications deployed in each Path to Live environment.
Maintenance slots and scheduled changes
Although these are the scheduled maintenance slots, check the Forward Change Schedule to find out if any activities are planned to take place outside these scheduled slots.
Maintenance slots
Spine Core
Tuesday 8pm to Wednesday 6am (weekly)
Spine CIS
Monday 8pm to Tuesday 6am (weekly)
e-RS Dev1
Monday 8pm to Tuesday 6am (the week following the live e-RS release)
e-RS Dev3
Thursday 8pm to Monday 6am (the week following the live e-RS release)
Change related activity
Forward change schedule
Find out details of planned changes and how these will impact on environment availability.
Change success report
Find out the success status of changes made to the environments.