Cisco Cisco IP VSAT Satellite WAN Module Information Guide

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What does the bandwidth depend on?

The bandwidth depends on the following:

•

Antenna size—The bigger the antenna, the higher is the bandwidth.

•

Transmitter rating—It can vary from 1 to 4 watts.

•

Satellite footprint—Different regions may have different bandwidth available.

Does multicast require special configuration to work?

Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) requires special configuration because some of the hub devices as well as the VSAT module do not

support PIM. The satellite service provider needs to configure both the VSAT and Hub protocol server to transparently tunnel the PIM messages. On

the VSAT router, PIM mode must be set to sparse and the hub router should be configured as the route processor. There are some IP address

requirements too; refer to the “Multicast with NM-1VSAT-GILAT” application note for more information.

Is a special configuration required to support voice over satellite?

Because of latency on the satellite link, voice and other real-time traffic need dedicated channel allocation to avoid jitter. Cisco IOS Software

can generate a dedicated-access trigger for voice calls that originate on the VSAT router. Dedicated-access triggers are enabled on the VSAT router

when you:

•

Configure a VoIP gateway solution, such as Cisco CallManager Express (Cisco CME)

•

Install a hardware voice-over-IP (VoIP) gateway, such as one of the following voice-enabled modules: High-Density Digital/Analog

Voice Network Modules (part numbers NM-HDV, NM-HDA, NM-HD-1V, NM-HD-2V, NM-HD-2VE, or EVM-HD, respectively).

•

Enable the Cisco Multiservice IP-to-IP Gateway feature

What are the benefits of using the Cisco IP VSAT module over a standalone IDU?

The integrated VSAT module provides several benefits, including:

•

Enhanced QoS for VoIP, including the ability to prioritize VoIP calls with a dedicated access satellite channel when a call is initiated

(requires Cisco CME or IP-to-IP Gateway in the same router

•

Enhanced routing support, including OSPF and EIGRP options, as well as PIM support for transparent multicast deployment

•

Enhanced reliability, including support for dial-on-demand routing (DDR) for WAN backup, HSRP with a single or dual ODUs, redundant power

supplies (Cisco 3845 Integrated Services Router and Cisco 3745 Multiservice Access Router), and integrated survivability (with Survivable
Remote Site Telephony [SRST], local authentication for wireless clients, etc.)

•

Enhanced management, including fewer devices to manage, improved visibility to the satellite connection for end customers, simpler

configuration of routing paths (with OSPF and EIGRP), and support for PIM

In addition, the VSAT module complements a wide range of networking services delivered by the integrated services routers, including:

•

Data networking, including a wide range of WAN connectivity options

•

Security, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDSs), Network Admission Control (NAC), and encryption

•

IP Communications, including VoIP with Cisco CME and Cisco Unity

Express

•

Wireless, including integrated 802.1b/g and 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN (WLAN) access points

•

Switching, including integrated 4- to 48-port Layer 2 switch modules and Power over Ethernet (PoE)

•

Content networking, including live video streaming, video on demand, etc.

•

Land mobile radio over IP, including interoperability between radio systems and other communications devices