Cisco Cisco IP VSAT Satellite WAN Module Information Guide
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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HARDWARE AND INSTALLATION
Q.
What is ODU? What additional equipment is required for communications over satellite?
A.
ODU stands for outdoor unit. It comprises the VSAT antenna, associated transmitter and receiver, the coaxial cable, and the AC power adaptor
for the ODU. The VSAT antenna comes in different sizes, from 0.65 to 2.5 meters in diameter. The ODU is supplied by the satellite service
provider.
Q.
Why is the external power supply required?
A.
The external (ODU) AC power supply that is plugged into the module provides power to the transmitter on the antenna through the RF cables.
Q.
How long can the Intermediate Frequency (IF) cable from the VSAT to the antenna run?
A.
IF cables can run up to 100 feet without the need for an amplifier. Beyond 100 feet, a power amplifier may be required.
SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS
Q.
Who is Gilat, what is SkyEdge, and why did Cisco choose compatibility with Gilat-SkyEdge?
A.
Gilat is the second largest global supplier of satellite equipment, after Hughes. SkyEdge is the latest family of broadband satellite
equipment from Gilat, including hub systems and VSAT IDUs and routers. Cisco chose compatibility with Gilat-SkyEdge systems to:
•
Deliver broadband connectivity, with more than 1 Mbps bidirectional throughput and more than 8 Mbps multicast receive capability
•
Support existing satellite capacity (Ku-band and C-band) with small dish antennas
Q.
Is compatibility with products from other equipment providers planned?
A.
Compatibility with standard Digital Video Broadcasting-Satellite (DVB-S) receive-only systems for one-way multicast applications
(with terrestrial return path) will be added in Cisco IOS Software Release 12.4(6th)T (Dec. 2006). Compatibility with products from other
two-way equipment service providers is not currently planned, but is a future possibility.
Q.
Is the Cisco IP VSAT module compatible with all Gilat service providers or systems?
A.
No. The Cisco IP VSAT module is compatible with Gilat-SkyEdge hubs. Older hubs supporting Gilat-360E systems can be upgraded
to be SkyEdge compatible for simultaneous support of both 360E and SkyEdge VSATs (such as the Cisco IP VSAT module).
Q.
Which service providers are certified to offer Cisco IP VSAT Module compatible services?
A.
Cisco IP VSAT Module compatible services are available in several regions around the world:
•
Continental United States and portions of Canada—Spacenet
•
Australia—Optus
•
India—HCL Comnet
•
Mexico—In discussions with GlobalSat
•
Europe—Satlynx
•
Turkey—Isnet
•
Kazakhstan—Aster
Cisco Systems
®
is working with other service providers around the globe to offer services with the Cisco IP VSAT module.
Q.
What is the support model for the Cisco IP VSAT module?
A.
The Cisco IP VSAT module comes with standard Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support for the hardware. The satellite
service is negotiated with the satellite service provider. If the network experiences downtime, the first point of contact for support is the
satellite service provider.