Hi, I want to deploy iDirect VSAT remote terminals at my company's remote branches for internet & data connectivity. I have L2 swicthes at H.O. & all remotes and L3 Cisco Router at H.O. Problem is, that the vendor company is insisting that we need to install Cisco or other L3 Router at all remotes...I don't understand why, since the iDirect 3000 series is itself a Router (as its name suggests). Can someone please guide me about network interfacing of iDirect so I can have a neutral view...Thx in advance

Dear:

It depends if the secure communication requires (end to end tunneling/vpn) then some vendor suggests to do so. If this is not the case then no need for extra router at each remote node.

Regards,

Jawad Malik
Cell: 0092 300 4108748
Email: jawadg@hotmail.com

iDirect 3000/5000 series has limited NAT sessions, so if your network is big or even small but effected with a virus your modem will hang every time until you hard-reset it!

Doing NATing in iDirect modem is limited by 1024 sessions.

Hi, thx for the earlier replies. Another point related to previous question is:

1) The iDirect vendor is offering 'Internet connectivity' for the remote sites using only idirect 3000 series Satellite  router, without the need of separate Router e.g. Cisco. But with 'Data connectivity', they are saying that router will be required with Satellite Router (iDirect 3000 Series)!!

Can anyone send me some URL link or doc/pdf explaining how the Data or Internet Connectivity works in Idirect hub to remote scenario? this will help me greatly understand. I have already serched for documents but still unable to find the right doc/pdf!!

Thx in advance!!

I'm not an expert on iDirect but this document may be helpful, if you can understand it: ftp://200.85.229.254/REF_Technical%20Reference%20Guide%20iDS%207.x_Rev%20F_062110.pdf

Figures 2 and 3, illustrating customers with VLANs, seems relevent.  Consider yourself as customer C, with a terrestrial connection to the hub, plus two remote sites (as in this example).

Your service provider should really be helping you. They should know what iDS software version they are using, have all the manuals and training and know what configurations it allows and how to implement them.

Please would others also add their advice here.

Best regards, Eric.

Hi Eric & Others!!
Thx for the previous detailed response. I have come to find that the service provider is using iDS Release 6.0.9.6. I am jst wondering tht could be the reason they r restricted to provide solution based on Cisco Router.

Can u send me the link for "IDS Release 6 or 6.0.9.6". (previously u sent link for Release 7). I am sure tht will answer this question further.

Thx.

Tekkie,

It depends on your needs of course but I find having a Cisco 89x router behind the remote extremely beneficial. The main important points from my point of view are:

1. Network monitoring (you can configure the whole bunch of monitoring when you have a router behind the remote - Netflow, SNMP, IPSLA. but you are very limited on monitoring with netmodem only)
2. QoS - with Cisco QoS you can get much more comparing to what you can do with iDirect especially on pre gQoS versions (less then 8).
3. Security - ability to configure ACLs, FWs, VPN tunnels, DVPN, dot1x etc....
4. Switching - with integrated switch you can get some nice features as well.