Layer 2 over satellite implementation in iDirect

Abstract

This thesis examines transmission through one of the best satellite technologies « the VSAT technology » which operates in different frequencies shapes and sizes Normally, the operating frequencies are C-band and Ku-band and work with Star Network (Private Hub), Point-to-Point (Customized Private Hub) capable of supporting a large number of places and Mesh Systems, which are regularly smaller than star systems this type of antenna offers satellite services capable of supporting Internet, LAN, IP Voice, video and data communications; thus, creating powerful public and private networks for reliable communication. Among the best platforms used by VSAT to transmit Data is the iDirectplatform. Among the services (programs) offered by iDirect is the iBuilder program which we use to implement Layer 2 over satellite. A standard iDirect installation is composed by two separate network segments: upstream and tunnel, connected by the upstream router. Two switches are required. The upstream switch is used by all the elements connected to that network segment while the tunnel switch is mainly used for the communication between the Protocol Processor Servers and the Line Cards. The user traffic will appear as clear traffic on the upstream network all the user traffic that needs to be sent towards any particular remote is processed by the Protocol Processor Servers. When configuring a new remote on the network the system will automatically assign one Protocol Processor Server to manage the traffic traveling to that particular remote .When an iDirect network is configured for L2oS, Ethernet frames, rather than IP packets, are transported across the satellite link. Layer 2 connectivity between the hub and remotes is preferred over the Layer 3 IP connections traditionally offered by iDirect. The benefits of using L2oS include: Layer 3 transparency, efficient physical layer and simplified operations.