Is a router needed with iDirect 5IF Hub ?

(Read 4708 times)

Tekkie123 Member ★★ Offline Posts: 8	Apr 4^th, 2012 at 10:07am Hi guys, For a new iDirect 5IF Hub Installation, which we are planning to have for our customer with more than 500 Remote Sites (initially 100 remotes), do we need a Cisco Router at the Hub Site, such as Cisco 3800 or Cisco 2800 etc.? If yes, what actions will it perform, or why is it needed? Doesn't the PP perform Routing? Reg/Tek
Back to top	« Last Edit: Apr 6^th, 2012 at 7:13pm by Admin1 » IP Logged

SuperDave Member ★★ Offline Posts: 18	Reply #1 - Apr 5^th, 2012 at 7:22pm If Im understanding your question correctly, the answer is Yes, that router is your path to a MPLS backbone as well as your linkage between the NMS and PP's.
Back to top	« Last Edit: Apr 6^th, 2012 at 7:13pm by Admin1 » Dave IP Logged

Tekkie123 Member ★★ Offline Posts: 8	Reply #2 - Apr 6^th, 2012 at 11:47am Ok, but if we have a Managed L2 Switch such as Cisco 2960, which is drectly connected over Trunk port to PP, than why will we need Router? Otherwise, what if we use a L3 Switch such as Cisco 3560, 3760 etc, then do we still need Separate Router? Although I agree, that for further WAN/MPLS connectivity, we will need a Router.
Back to top	« Last Edit: Apr 6^th, 2012 at 7:13pm by Admin1 » IP Logged

Eric Johnston

Senior Member
★★★
Offline

Posts: 2109

Reply #3 - Apr 6^th, 2012 at 7:10pm

A router provides an interface between two different networks, typically between a public internet IP address and your own invented private IP address range.

If you use a router, your VSAT network can then be made up entirely of private IP addresses. There is significant security advantage in that internet located hackers will have less easy access to your equipment and the equipment of your 500 customers.

Make sure you set a very secure password on the router before connecting to the internet. A firewall device to stop spam emails, virus etc., should be considered also.

In case I am wrong, please would anyone with an iDirect 5IF hub say how they have their routing configured and tell us their experience and recommendations.

Best regards, Eric.

IP Logged

1505 Member ★★ Offline Posts: 21	Reply #4 - Jun 3^rd, 2012 at 10:59am To my understanding, A router or Layer 3 switch links between the Upstream and Tunnel Switches. Regards
Back to top	YIM IP Logged

Anton

Member
★★
Offline

Posts: 32

Reply #5 - Jun 4^th, 2012 at 4:07am

I would say that the router is a must in this setup as it performs the following essential functions:

1. Security - as mentioned by Eric, router is necessary (but in many cases not enough) to provide your network with proper security.

2. QoS - Router shaping/qos may perform better than iDirect and in many cases you may want to shape traffic prior it hits iDirect network.

3. Traffic monitoring - router may also be used for advanced reporting/monitoring, such as netflow, snmp (related to qos and traffic load), ipsla, may be something else.

4. Routing - in many cases you would want to have 2 WAN/MPLS connections for redundancy and it is easier to manage routing on the router than on the PPs or Switches.

Also, router cost is insignificant comparing to the linecard or chassis...

The rich man is not the one who has, but the one who does not need.

IP Logged

Pages: 1

Send Topic | Print

Disclaimer, Terms of Use and Privacy Forum User Agreement Forum rules Cookie policy.