Satellite Internet Service and Applications

Building a Highly Efficient
Internet-over-Satellite Network

DC Palter
Vice President
Mentat Inc.

The TCP/IP protocols that are used to transfer data over computer networks are not optimized for satellite link conditions and can suffer severe performance limitations. Fortunately, a variety of solutions are available to overcome these limitations and offer connectivity over satellite comparable in performance to terrestrial options.

This workshop is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the basic design of TCP/IP, explain the causes of its limitations in the satellite environment and review the different approaches for overcoming these limitations, with particular emphasis on protocol gateways and multicasting. Topics that will be covered include:

Describe the design of TCP/IP.

Explain the causes and limitations of TCP in a satellites environment.

Discuss the following approaches to improving satellite network performance:

Enhancements and modifications to TCP/IP

Alternative satellite protocols

Spoofing

Protocol Gateways (TCP-PEP)

Multicasting

Caching

Data compression

Focus on protocol gateways and how they overcome the TCP limitations.

Discuss how IP Multicast technology can be used to improve service and reduce costs by taking advantage of the broadcast nature of satellite networks.

Return to Wednesday's Agenda