Chapter 2 • Subsystems
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• Web-based auto-commissioning - provides commissioning
services for satellite routers
• UEM database - stores all network configuration data
• Special services gateway - (optional) acts as an IP gateway
for satellite routers before they are commissioned, and
provides bandwidth broker services for the downlink
• Quality Monitor PC - receives satellite output and monitors
the quality
• CACTI - network monitoring and event logging
Vision
Vision provides a software interface to monitor, configure, and
control network components, including satellite routers and NOC
components.
Conditional access
controller
The conditional access scheme prevents the reception of traffic
belonging to a different customer. The CAC uses encryption
technology to protect the user against unauthorized access. The
CAC components perform the key management for the unicast
TCP/IP encryption and IP multicast conditional access. Typically
a single multicast IP address is used; however, a scaling feature
that uses multiple multicast addresses is also available for large
networks.
Management file server
The management file server (MFS) is both a repository and a
component controller. It is a repository for software downloads
and parameter files for managed NOC components. It also
controls the enable/disable functions of NOC components and
notifies those components of the file and version information and
updates.
MFS relies on the management gateway client (MGC) service
that is installed on each managed component. The MFS sends
periodic heartbeat messages to the MGCs on these components
using broadcast or multicast. If the MGC on a particular
components determines that new software or configuration files
are needed, it downloads these files from the MFS using FTP.
Vision copies files into MFS using FTP/Windows file sharing and
notifies the MFS of any newly uploaded files using SNMP.
Web-based
auto-commissioning
When a satellite router is installed, certain information must be
provided to the NOC operator to ensure the site is commissioned
properly. Auto-commissioning automates the commissioning
process with no intervention by the NOC operator to provide fast
turnaround on satellite router installations and prevent
configuration mistakes. WebACS also configures components
necessary for older generation equipment.