| TicoSAT Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1. | What is VSAT Classic? |
| 2. | What is VSAT Satellite Return System? |
| 3. | What is the difference between VSAT and DirecPC? |
| 4. | What is the Business Edition of VSAT? |
| 5. | What is an IRU? |
| 6. | What is an ITU? |
| 7a. | What is a DW4000? |
| 7b. | What is a VSAT3100? |
| 8. | How is the VSAT3100 different from the DW4000? |
| 9. | How big is the VSAT Satellite Return System dish included in the System? |
| 10. | What is an IP address? |
| 11. | What is a Dynamic IP address? |
| 12. | What is a Static IP address? |
| 13. | Why would I need a Static IP address? |
| 14. | What is a firewall? |
| 15. | What is VPN? |
| 16. | Can I use VPN with my VSAT? |
| 17. | What is a proxy server? |
| 18. | What is USB? |
| 19. | What is FTP (File Transfer Protocol)? |
| 20. | Is FTP supported? |
| 21. | Does TicoSAT require a telephone connection? |
| 22. | Does weather affect the performance of the satellite system? |
| 23. | Can I send AND receive data through the satellite dish? |
| 24. | How many concurrent users will be able to use the system? |
| 25. | Does the speed slow down as more users access the TicoSAT system? |
| 26. | Can I network the TicoSAT solution with other PCs on my network? |
| 27. | Can the subscriber use other ISPs (such as AOL) with TicoSAT? |
| 28. | How does TicoSAT compare with standard dial-up Internet access? |
| 29. | Can I directly connect a Macintosh or UNIX machine using VSAT? |
| 30. | Can I use any browser with TicoSAT? |
| 31. | Can a subscriber use any email program with TicoSAT (Outlook, Eudora, etc.)? |
| 32. | What security procedures have been established to ensure the privacy of my data while it is being transmitted over the satellite? |
| 33. | How many email accounts come with TicoSAT VSAT? |
| 34. | What are the differences in the levels of service available? |
| 35. | Why does my VSAT system need to be professionally installed? |
| 36. | What is the Fair Access Policy (FAP)? |
| 37. | How can the customer tell if they have exceeded their usage allowance? |
| 38. | What applications are supported over VSAT? |
| 39. | How long does it take to install the service? |
| 40. | What is included in the installation? |
| 41. | Is there technical support available? |
| 42. | If I live in a fringe area of the satellite coverage will I need a larger satellite? |
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| 1. | What is VSAT Classic? |
| Dial-up mode for uploading (sending from PC to Internet); satellite for downloading (PC receiving from Internet). No longer sold. |
| 2. | What is VSAT Satellite Return System? |
| Satellite for both uploading (PC sending) and downloading (PC receiving). We only sell this version of VSAT. |
| 3. | What is the difference between VSAT and DirecPC? |
| If you have a DirecPC system running Version 4.0 or higher, you have VSAT-enabled hardware. The main differences between DirecPC and VSAT are that VSAT:- Can be converted from a one-way to a two-way system with the purchase and professional installation of a conversion kit.
- Can be configured to get access to additional DirecTV programming (we do not offer DirecTV but you can order it separately).
- VSAT Will be able to connect to VSAT3100 gateway device that will allow you to connect VSAT high-speed Internet to multiple computers in your home.
- There is no difference in speeds between the VSAT and DirecPC system; however, the different software provided allows for additional TCP/IP connections and higher throughput.
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| 4. | What is the Business Edition of VSAT? |
| This is the only product available through TicoSAT. It supports the highest levels of performance available over the VSAT system. |
| 5. | What is an IRU? |
| Indoor Receive Unit: The indoor receiver which operates in receive only mode and also controls the ITU. |
| 6. | What is an ITU? |
| Indoor Transmit Unit: The indoor transmitter is used to send data from the satellite back to the PC (This makes the two-way connectivity possible). |
| 7a. | What is a DW4000? |
| The DW4000 is the basic VSAT offering, used to serve 10's of tens of thousands of business customers throughout the US and other countries. It connects to a customer-provided PC that will host the satellite modem software. With our optional routing/firewall software it can be used to connect multiple computers to the Internet.
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| 7b. | What is a VSAT3100? |
| The VSAT3100 includes a self-hosted stand-alone Internet appliance that can act as a router for your network. It can be ordered in a NAT/DHCP configuration or with a single static-public IP address. If ordered with a static-public IP address it will require a small router or PC with a NAT (WinRoute Pro) solution. The VSAT3100 includes all of the DW4000 hardware as well.
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| 8. | How is the VSAT3100 different from the DW4000? |
| The DW4000 requires that the system software be loaded onto a customer-provided PC which can then serve as a network access server for other connected PCs. The VSAT3100 can eliminate this need and support multiple PCs when ordered in the NAT/DHCP configuration. |
| 9. | How big is the VSAT Satellite Return System dish included in the System? |
| Dimensions: 36" x 24" (dish); Height with stand (approximate): 43"; Weight: 45 pounds. |
| 10. | What is an IP address? |
| An IP (Internet Protocol) address is the way in which your computer is identified to the world when you log on to the Internet. |
| 11. | What is a Dynamic IP address? |
| A Dynamic IP address is an address that is temporarily assigned at the start of a login session and then returned to an IP pool at the conclusion of the session. The IP address will change. |
| 12. | What is a Static IP address? |
| A Static IP address is a unique address that has been assigned to a given client for an extended period of time, to be used by only that client (The client does not own that address). The IP address will stay the same and be routable from the Internet. A firewall is required for security when using a static public IP address. |
| 13. | Why would I need a Static IP address? |
| Some companies require their employees to have a specified IP address to allow them access into their computer system, or if you need to run a web or mail server. Not recommended or supported, but possible over VSAT. |
| 14. | What is a firewall? |
| A firewall is software or hardware that protects a computer or network from intruders accessing it from the Internet. It is a requirement for any computer which is "always on" the Internet. |
| 15. | What is VPN? |
| Software encryption "tunneling" that allows secure access to private corporate networks from remote locations. |
| 16. | Can I use VPN with my VSAT? |
| Yes. However, neither HUGHES nor TicoSAT supports VPN usage because without special treatment the VPN causes severe performance issues. There is at least one other VSAT provider that does provide this special service for a substantial extra charge. We are not afraid of our competition. See: Skycasters.com |
| 17. | What is a proxy server? |
| A software product that acts as a moderator or go-between for a client and a remote host. Most proxy servers also offer content caching. |
| 18. | What is USB? |
| The USB (Universal Serial Bus) is designed to be a "plug and play" method of attaching computer peripherals to a computer. It was designed to eliminate the jumpers and dip switches, and to remove the complexity of adding components to your computer. USB devices can be "hot plugged" to your computer while the system is turned on. |
| 19. | What is FTP (File Transfer Protocol)? |
| Used to transfer files from one computer to another over the Internet. |
| 20. | Is FTP supported? |
| Yes. |
| 21. | Does TicoSAT require a telephone connection? |
| No. |
| 22. | Does weather affect the performance of the satellite system? |
| The TicoSAT service uses a more powerful dish antenna than DIRECTV or DISH Networks, so it is less affected than satellite TV service. The TicoSAT satellite Internet service is only 50% as likely to be affected, and the outages last only 50% as long, as compared to outages of satellite TV. Each area of the country has different weather patterns, so satellite TV performance in your area is a good benchmark. |
| 23. | Can I send AND receive data through the satellite dish? |
| Yes! With the TicoSAT solution no phone lines or separate ISPs are needed. |
| 24. | How many concurrent users will be able to use the system? |
| This depends on the package you purchase. TicoSAT satellite software and service packages are available to support 1, 10, or 25 connected machines. The service level selected and the number of users concurrently downloading will determine the speed each user is granted. |
| 25. | Does the speed slow down as more users access the TicoSAT system? |
| The per-user speed will decrease with the addition of each user. However, the decrease will not be linear as with fixed-speed pipes like modems, ISDN or T-1 because the aggregate speed will increase as additional TCP/IP connections are established. |
| 26. | Can I network the TicoSAT solution with other PCs on my network? |
| Yes. TicoSAT offers a router option that will allow up to 25 PCs to be connected. See Product Information. |
| 27. | Can the subscriber use other ISPs (such as AOL) with TicoSAT? |
| Yes. Any web site or email server on the Internet can be accessed over TicoSAT. AOL and others may give you a discount on your membership if you are providing your own access. |
| 28. | How does TicoSAT compare with standard dial-up Internet access? |
| TicoSAT service provides always-on Internet service that is 10 to 20 times faster than dial-up service. TicoSAT does not require users to dial in for access through a separate Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is always on like a cable connection. |
| 29. | Can I directly connect a Macintosh or UNIX machine using VSAT? |
| Yes, but this would require a PC set-up to act as a gateway/router. See Product Information. |
| 30. | Can I use any browser with TicoSAT? |
| All of the major browsers like Netscape or Internet Explorer function properly in the TicoSAT environment. |
| 31. | Can a subscriber use any email program with TicoSAT (Outlook, Eudora, etc.)? |
| Yes. All major email programs work with TicoSAT. |
| 32. | What security procedures have been established to ensure the privacy of my data while it is being transmitted over the satellite? |
| VSAT uses the industry-standard Digital Encryption Standard (DES) along with session-key technology and (ASIC) hardware encryption to secure data when broadcast over the satellite. |
| 33. | How many email accounts come with TicoSAT VSAT? |
| Two (2) email accounts are included at no charge. |
| 34. | What are the differences in the levels of service available? |
| The difference in speed is not the real issue as the only difference speed-wise is a higher burst limit. The real issue is the acceleration software opening multiple TCP/IP connections, and the higher throughput allowance. A 5:1 ratio is assumed. Some businesses may have different usage patterns and may be able to connect more or fewer machines to the same size connection. On the basic service, 400 Kbps should be achievable for 10 connected machines with an average of 2 concurrent users. This assumes that if there are 10 connected machines, only 2 of them are actually "doing something" and should each get the 400K. The others are either reading something that has already been downloaded, or are on the phone, on another project, away from their desk, etc. If usage patterns are such that more than 2 users are concurrent, then the available bandwidth begins to be divided up among the users. The same principle applies to the other service package. The 750 service supports 5 concurrent users. The acceleration software allows the service to "break" a web page or file into parts or objects andsends them all across the space link at the same time where they are reassembled at the remote end. Each "part" or object uses a separate TCP/IP connection. This can be compared against a dial-up connection where a web page loads one object at a time in a serial fashion. Acceleration allows our downloads to be done in parallel as long as there are extra available TCP/IP connections. See the performance explanation.
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| 35. | Why does my VSAT system need to be professionally installed? |
| The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that trained professionals install any two-way satellite system. |
| 36. | What is the Fair Access Policy (FAP)? |
| The VSAT CONSUMER Edition has initiated the Fair Access Policy (FAP). The BUSINESS Edition uses a different technology that is geared to higher performance. See the performance explanation. |
| 37. | How can the customer tell if they have exceeded their usage allowance? |
| This information can be provided by our technical support department. |
| 38. | What applications are supported over VSAT? |
| VSAT supports most Internet applications including web browsing, FTP, email, etc. Not supported are applications which requires hosting of a server at the remote site, applications which are adversely affected by latency such as interactive gaming or VoIP, and applications like video-conferencing that requires a high-speed upload capability. |
| 39. | How long does it take to install the service? |
| It takes about 10 business days from receipt of a confirmed order. The actual installation typically takes 3-6 hours. |
| 40. | What is included in the installation? |
| The installer will install the outdoor equipment, run the cable and connect the satellite modems, and test the system for Internet access. The unit ships with several CDs that the customer will install. Telephone installation support is available during business hours, as well as support for any configuration issues. |
| 41. | Is there technical support available? |
| TicoSAT provides multi-lingual 24-hour 7-day technical support for connectivity and troubleshooting issues. During business hours, support is available for advanced configurations, multiple users, firewall, etc. TicoSAT has enabled its customers to use special free Help Desk software to perform initial troubleshooting. Our technical support staff has extensive experience in supporting advanced business applications over the service including routing, firewall, etc. Our support exceeds any available from any other source including directly from HUGHES. |
| 42. | If I live in a fringe area of the satellite coverage will I need a larger satellite? |
| Alaska and Hawaii require a larger dish antenna. The 48 contiguous states can all use the standard dish. |
