Capabilities and experience of a VSAT service provider
T. Shimabukuro, R. Kronz, L. Nakpil, R. Kaoua, W. Nakamine · Institution of Engineering and Technology eBooks · 1992
The use of satellites and VSATs for providing the data link and physical protocol levels of IBM system network architecture (SNA) and X25 networks has gained widespread acceptance since the mid-1980s. Data communications performance characteristics over leased dedicated or multidrop telephone lines are unpredictable, not easily controlled, and are not uniform in many parts of the country. Satellite links greatly simplify the problems of network monitoring and control because the myriad of ground connections is eliminated. VSATs can provide flexible changes, additions or deletions to individual ports of a network that are not possible with telephone lines. This chapter addresses the use of VSATs for connecting remote cluster controllers and terminals to front end processors and hosts in satellite based IBM SNA and X25 networks. GTE Spacenet, an American satellite and network service provider, has worked with 12 VSAT vendors since 1984 and currently services five different types of VSATs. The discussion summarises its experience as a service provider.