Cisco Cisco IP VSAT Satellite WAN Module Information Guide
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Q&A
Cisco IP VSAT Satellite WAN Network Module
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
Q.
What is the Cisco
®
IP VSAT Satellite WAN Network Module (NM-1VSAT-GILAT)
A.
The Cisco IP VSAT module is a “satellite modem” or “indoor unit” (IDU) on a network module integrated in an integrated services
router. It connects to an outdoor unit (ODU), which includes the dish antenna and associated receiver and transmitter, through coaxial cables.
Q.
What kind of connectivity does the module provide?
A.
The Cisco IP VSAT module provides IP-based two-way broadband WAN connectivity over satellite. It supports both unicast and multicast
traffic and appears as any other WAN interface to the Cisco IOS
®
Software.
Q.
Is the Cisco IP VSAT Module compatible with all satellite connections?
A.
It is compatible with Ku-band and C-band satellite connections, which represent the vast majority of satellite capacity. It is compatible only
with services using Gilat SkyEdge hub systems.
Q.
Can multiple VSAT modules be used on the same router in load-balance mode?
A.
Multiple VSAT modules are supported on the same router, but packed-based load balancing interferes with the TCP acceleration mechanism.
Hence only destination-based load balancing is supported with multiple VSAT modules.
Q.
Does the Cisco IP VSAT module support Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)?
A.
Yes, HSRP is supported in both the homogenous (across satellite interfaces) and the heterogeneous (between satellite and non-satellite
interfaces) setup.
Q.
What routing protocols are supported over the satellite connection?
A.
All dynamic routing protocols (Routing Information Protocol [RIP], Open Shortest Path First [OSPF], and Enhanced Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol [EIGRP]) are supported over the satellite connection. The module itself supports RIPv2 natively, and all the static and directly
connected routes are automatically forwarded as RIP routes to the satellite network. This feature can be turned off using the “no service-module
route-redistribute” command under the satellite interface.
Q.
Does the Cisco IP VSAT module support online insertion and removal (OIR)?
A.
No. This support could damage the module.
Q.
What sort of quality-of-service (QoS) policies should be applied to the satellite interface?
A.
The VSAT module applies both queuing and policing on the satellite channel. On the Cisco IOS Software side, the traffic should not be
throttled; only classification and marking policies should be applied.
Q.
What kind of bandwidth can I get using the Cisco IP VSAT module?
A.
It supports speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps inbound (VSAT to hub) and 10 Mbps outbound (hub to VSAT). The speed achievable depends on
the size of the antenna, transmitter power, and geographical locations.