Local Management Solutions for Satellite

At sea, on the battlefield or deployed for network redundancy, satellite networks with local management connect all corners of the world

Uplogix brings a variety of specialized features to the satellite arena in both fixed (autoacquire) antennas and the stabilized antennas common in maritime applications. Both types of deployments benefit from the fact that Uplogix is local and connected directly to the network and communications devices common with satellite-enabled locations.

With an array of specialized drivers for satellite modems and antenna controllers, Uplogix is a key solution for ensuring network uptime and lowering support costs by providing:

Secure and persistent access to remote devices | When the network is up and running, admins access devices through the Uplogix Local Manager over the network. If that connection is broken or not yet established, the appliances “dial-out,” providing a two-way, secure management link independent of the primary network. In satellite deployments, this out-of-band connection is usually over Iridium, but could also be a cellular modem connection.

Automated device control and recovery | Uplogix monitor devices 24x7 over the console port and take recovery steps when issues are detected. With its embedded rules engine, Uplogix Local Managers can be configured to take advanced actions like blockage zone detection, notification and recovery.

Schlumberger uses Uplogix and out-of-band connection to remotely re-establish VSAT connection with vessel
As a leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry, Schlumberger, an Uplogix partner, provides VSAT services with many offshore vessels involved in energy exploration and production. One of these vessels was moving from one area of satellite coverage to another -- a standard operation where a shipboard electronics technician would follow the steps to adjust VSAT equipment for the new coverage zone. However, there was a problem and the vessel lost its VSAT connection.

After several hours of attempting to fix the issue, a call was placed to the Schlumberger CSC in Aberdeen. Within moments, operators were able to connect to the Uplogix appliance on the vessel via an Iridium modem, access the VSAT modem and RF amplifier to troubleshoot the issue, and bring the broadband connection back up. Without this capability, the solution would have been to fly an expert to the vessel at great expense and extended VSAT downtime.

Hear Paul Khayat of Schlumberger Global Connectivity Serverices describe how they used Uplogix to remotely reconnect a VSAT link with a vessel at sea. 
(See the full webinar.)