Gilat Satellite Networks SkyStar 360 User manual

SkyStar 360
SatModem 360 Installation Guide
Version 2.0.7.1
May 2002
Document No. DC-3376-10
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
This document contains information proprietary to Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and may not be
reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. The
disclosure by Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. of information contained herein does not constitute any
license or authorization to use or disclose the information, ideas or concepts presented. The contents of
this document are subject to change without prior notice.

Notice
This manual contains information that is proprietary and confidential to Gilat Satellite
Networks Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Gilat). No part of this publication may be
reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written approval by Gilat.
No representation or warranties for fitness for any purpose other than that specifically
mentioned in this manual is made by Gilat.
Gilat reserves the right to revise this publication and make changes without obligation to
notify any person of such revisions or changes.
For further information, contact Gilat.
Publication Notice
This manual has been carefully compiled and checked for accuracy. The information in
this manual does not constitute a warranty of performance. Furthermore, Gilat reserves
the right to revise this publication and make changes from time to time in the content
thereof. Gilat assumes no liability for losses incurred as a result of out-of-date or
incorrect information in this manual.
FCC Compliance Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference for radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
Reorient or relocate the (radio or TV) receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
Connect the equipment into an outlet or a separate circuit from that connected to
the receiver
Consult and experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
Tested to Comply
with FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
Contents
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................1
2. System Components......................................................................................................4
2.1 ODU Assembly........................................................................................................4
2.2 SkyStar SatModem 360 (IDU)..................................................................................4
2.2.1 SatModem 360 Front Panel...........................................................................4
2.2.2 SatModem 360 Rear Panel ...........................................................................5
2.3 Inter-Facility Link (IFL) Cables.................................................................................6
2.3.1 Coaxial Cables..............................................................................................6
2.3.2 Cable Specifications......................................................................................7
2.3.3 USB/LAN Cable ............................................................................................7
2.4 Client PC.................................................................................................................8
2.4.1 Hardware Requirements................................................................................8
2.4.2 Software Requirements.................................................................................8
3. SatModem 360 Software Application Installation.........................................................9
3.1 Verification of PC Suitability...................................................................................10
3.2 SatModem 360 Software Installation......................................................................11
4. Satellite Modem Installation........................................................................................16
5. Driver Installation.........................................................................................................18
6. StarControl...................................................................................................................21
6.1 Star Control Menu .................................................................................................21
6.2 Monitoring Satellite Connectivity............................................................................22
6.3 Monitoring Configuration Status.............................................................................24
6.3.1 Saving Configuration Report.......................................................................29
6.3.2 Printing a Report for Fax Transmission.......................................................30
6.3.3 Sending a Report by Email..........................................................................31
6.4 Viewing Current Software Versions........................................................................31
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7. Removing Previous Software Versions ......................................................................33
8. Appendix A - Driver Installation – Out of Sequence ..................................................35
8.1 Driver Installation...................................................................................................35
8.1.1 Driver Installation for Windows XP ..............................................................35
8.1.2 Driver Installation for Windows ME..............................................................37
8.1.3 Driver Installation for Windows 2000...........................................................40
8.1.4 Driver Installation for Windows 98 SE .........................................................44
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SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
Figures
Figure 1: SkyStar Network Architecture...........................................................................2
Figure 2: SkyStar SatModem 360 – Front View...............................................................5
Figure 3: SkyStar SatModem 360 – Rear View................................................................6
Figure 4: Welcome Screen..............................................................................................9
Figure 5: SatModem 360 Version Detection..................................................................10
Figure 6: SatModem 360 VSAT Compatibility Check.....................................................10
Figure 7: 360 SatModem Setup – Opening Screen........................................................11
Figure 8: 360 SatModem Setup –License Agreement....................................................12
Figure 9: 360 SatModem Setup – Ready to Install.........................................................13
Figure 10: Windows Logo Testing.................................................................................14
Figure 11: SatModem 360 Software Successfully Installed............................................14
Figure 12: Installer Information......................................................................................15
Figure 13: Star Control Icon (Red) ................................................................................15
Figure 14: SatModem 360 – Rear View.........................................................................16
Figure 15: Digital Signature Not Found .........................................................................18
Figure 16: New Hardware Found - Installing..................................................................19
Figure 17: New Hardware Found - Completed...............................................................19
Figure 18: Restart Computer After Software Installation................................................20
Figure 19: StarControl Menu.........................................................................................21
Figure 20: StarControl Main Screen..............................................................................22
Figure 21: StarControl Details.......................................................................................23
Figure 22: StarControl Configuration Menu...................................................................24
Figure 23: StarControl General Configuration................................................................25
Figure 24: StarControl Accelerators Configuration ........................................................26
Figure 25: StarControl Settings Configuration ...............................................................27
Figure 26: Firewall Enable Warning...............................................................................28
Figure 27: StarControl Configuration Report .................................................................29
Figure 28: Save StarControl Report ..............................................................................30
Figure 29: Web Page Dialog .........................................................................................31
Figure 30: StarControl Version......................................................................................32
Figure 31: Previous 360 SatModem Version Detection..................................................33
Figure 32: Welcome – Remove Previous Version..........................................................33
Figure 33: Remove Previous 360 SatModem Software..................................................34
Figure 34: Found New Hardware...................................................................................35
Figure 35: Welcome to Found New Hardware Wizard ....................................................36
Figure 36: Windows Logo Testing message..................................................................36
Figure 37: Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard..............................................37
Figure 38: Add New Hardware Wizard – Opening Screen Windows ME........................38
Figure 39: Add New Hardware Wizard – Search for Driver Windows ME.......................38
Figure 40: Add New Hardware Wizard – Driver Found..................................................39
Figure 41: Add New Hardware Wizard – Driver Installed Windows ME..........................39
Figure 42: System Settings Change..............................................................................40
Figure 43: Found New Hardware...................................................................................40
Figure 44: Welcome to Found New Hardware Wizard ...................................................41
Figure 45: Install Hardware Device Drivers ...................................................................41
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SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
Figure 46: Locate Driver Files.......................................................................................42
Figure 47: Digital Signature Not Found .........................................................................42
Figure 48: Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard..............................................43
Figure 49: System Settings Change..............................................................................43
Figure 50: Add New Hardware Wizard – Opening Screen Windows 98 SE....................44
Figure 51: Add New Hardware Wizard – Search for Driver Windows 98 SE...................45
Figure 52: Add New Hardware Wizard – Find Driver .....................................................45
Figure 53: Add New Hardware Wizard – Driver to Install...............................................46
Figure 54: Add New Hardware Wizard – Ready to Install ..............................................46
Figure 55: Insert Disk....................................................................................................47
Figure 56: Add New Hardware Wizard – Driver Installed Windows 98 SE......................47
Figure 57: System Settings Change..............................................................................48
Tables
Table 1: Front Panel LEDs..............................................................................................5
Table 2: Rear Panel Features .........................................................................................6
Table 3: IFL Cable Types................................................................................................7
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SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
About This Manual
This section describes the objectives, audience, document layout and conventions of
the SkyStar SatModem 360 Installation manual, software version 2.0.7.
Objectives
This manual provides instructions for the installation and configuration of the
SkyStar SatModem 360.
How to Use This Manual
This manual contains an overview of the SkyStar system and its operation. It
contains detailed procedures for the assembly and installation of the ODU and
antenna followed by chapters detailing the connection and configuration of the
modem and its required software.
Audience
This manual is designed for the use by an installation technician who has participated
in a basic training course for the installation of the SkyStar SatModem 360.
Organization
The table below contains a list of the chapters in the manual, the chapter titles and a
short description of the material contained in each chapter.
Chapter Chapter Title Description
Chapter 1 Introduction Short description of the SkyStar system
Chapter 2 System Components List of the components of the system and a
brief description of each
Chapter 3 Application Installation Explains the installation of the SatModem
360 applications
Chapter 4 Satellite Modem
Installation Hardware connections to the modem
Chapter 5 Driver Installation Procedure to install the USB drivers for the
SatModem 360
Chapter 6 StarControl Describes the StarControl monitoring system
Chapter 7 Removing Previous
Software Versions Describes how to uninstall previous versions of the SatModem 360 software installed on
the client PC
Chapter 8 Driver Installation –
Out of Sequence Describes how to install the drivers if the SatModem is connected to the client PC prior
to installing the software application
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SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
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Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions to convey instructions and information:
Convention Description
Boldface font Commands and keywords.
Italic font The result of an instruction or command.
Screen font Information to be typed into a form or dialog
box.
WARNING
This warning symbol means danger. It is used to describe a
situation that can cause bodily injury. Before working on any
equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry
and how to prevent accidents.
CAUTION
This symbol means reader be careful. In this situation, damage may be
caused to equipment or data may be lost.
NOTE
This symbol means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions
and explanations.

SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
1. Introduction
SkyStarTM is a stand-alone VSAT system,
supporting all IP based technologies in a
star configuration. In this scheme, a
central hub station is connected to a large
number of remote VSATs via a two-way
satellite connection. SkyStar provides a
DVB compliant outbound path that is
fully scalable from 3 Mbps up to 52.5
Mbps. The inbound channel is based on
Gilat’s proprietary FTDMA access
scheme, thus providing an open IP
platform with a two-way satellite solution. The asymmetrical connectivity provided
by SkyStar suits the typically asymmetric traffic profile of a wide range of IP based
data applications. The use of SkyStar as an ISP access system is one of its most
suitable applications.
The SkyStar VSAT is a stand-alone indoor unit that connects to the users PC via an
Ethernet LAN or a USB-1 interface and to the outdoor equipment (antenna, solid
state power amplifier SSPA and low noise block LNB) via RF cables with F-type
connectors. The outbound carrier of the SkyStar, from the hub to the remote VSAT,
complies with the DVB-S standard that is today’s de-facto satellite-broadcasting
standard. IP data is forwarded over the DVB channel, using the multi-protocol
encapsulation (MPE) standard, which defines the way to encapsulate IP packets into
MPEG-2 transport stream. This allows the SkyStar system to be integrated as a two-
way data solution into an existing, DVB based, Direct to Home (DTH) network. The
FTDMA access scheme used on the inbound channel improves performance and
space segment utilization by leveraging randomness in both the frequency and time.
The SkyStar system consists of three main parts, the outbound and inbound chains
and the optional server farm.
The outbound chain receives the IP transmissions (multicast streams or unicast
segments) from various servers at the hub or from the Internet itself. Bandwidth rules
and restrictions are applied to these streams; the composite stream is encapsulated
into MPEG-2 frames using the MPE standard, and then up-linked as a DVB carrier to
the remote sites. The bandwidth of the outbound carrier supported by the SkyStar
system is flexible and can be pre-set to match the exact requirements of the system.
The inbound chain receives the transmissions from the remote VSATs. These
transmissions are randomly distributed in a range of predefined frequency slots. The
inbound chain identifies the frequencies on which there is a transmission and assigns
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SatModem 360 – Installation and Configuration
a hub receiver card to each of these frequencies. The received data is processed in the
central processing unit of the inbound chain. The inbound chain also sends
acknowledgements to the VSATs for the data received and timing information. The
timing and acknowledgements are passed to the outbound chain and are multiplexed
into the outbound carrier for transmission. Figure 1 shows the architecture of a
typical SkyStar system.
QoS Server
Internet Page
Accelerator
Carousel Server
MPEG1/MPEG2
Video Encoder
HUB
Router
Intranet/
Internet
NMS
SkyBlaster
Hub
Hub
Antenna
Application Servers
(Optional)
Optional
Modem
ODU
Modem
REMOTE
ODU
VCR
Figure 1: SkyStar Network Architecture
The SkyStar server farm is an optional add-on building block that provides the
SkyStar system with a number of performance accelerating technologies and
application enhancements. Protocol acceleration at both the TCP and HTTP layers
enhances the user-experience provided by the system while minimizing the space
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