Hi everyone,
If you go to www.pro.gov.uk , read the 1901 census info on the homepage, then click on further information, the following is available. It seems to give the most details as to what is actually happening. Go there periodically for further updates.
Elizabeth, Australia.

1901 Online service
Latest statement from the PRO 23rd January 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements
The following enhancements are being made to Census Online.

Increased ISP bandwidth.

Dedicated firewalls within the ISP, both to protect the 1901 Census Online site and also to avoid impact to other sites.

Improved load balancer configuration to divert overload.

Additional database server engine and the necessary configuration to enable operation with multiple database servers.
Although these enhancements will enable the site to cope with the planned number of users because of the excessive level of demand experienced between 2nd and 6th January 2002, some managed access may be necessary until demand is stabilized.

The design, implementation, configuration and testing of these enhancements are proceeding.
However, QinetiQ and the PRO have agreed to wait until the work has been completed in full before re-opening access more widely to the database. This work is anticipated to take a further week or two from todays date, 23rd January 2002.