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DoD to Put Internet Router in Space
narramissic writes "ITworld is reporting that the Department of Defense plans to launch in the first quarter of 2009 a satellite-based router to deliver military communications. Satellite operator Intelsat will manage the three-year Internet Routing In Space (IRIS) project, while Cisco will provide IP networking software for the on-board router. After testing, the satellite will be available for commercial use. From the article: 'Potential nonmilitary benefits of the IRIS program include the ability to route IP (Internet Protocol) traffic between satellites in space in much the same way packets are moved on the ground, reducing delays, saving on capacity and offering greater networking flexibility, Lloyd Wood, space initiatives manager in the Global Defense, Space & Security division of Cisco, said Thursday.'"
"From the article: 'Potential nonmilitary benefits of the IRIS program include the ability to route IP (Internet Protocol) traffic between satellites in space in much the same way packets are moved on the ground, reducing delays, saving on capacity and offering greater networking flexibility, Lloyd Wood, space initiatives manager in the Global Defense, Space & Security division of Cisco, said Thursday.'"
You forgot greater security.
Indeed, what if routing packets over satellite becomes that much cheaper than underwater fiber that it replaces it entirely and the country controlling those satellites can shutdown a nation's access to the internet on a whim?
What kind of bandwidth are we talking here? but I guess the better question is what routing protocol is it going to use, EIGRP? OSPF? BGP?
In a world of acronyms, the words are the real victims.
Yes, but that's irrelevant.
The article didn't say it was going to be in geostationary orbit. Don't assume that just because a geostationary satellite internet satellite has 650ms pings that all satellites will.
A satellite could orbit as low as 100 miles. The latency could be a few ms.
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
years ago (around 1999) my family got to be a tester for a new (potential) satellite ISP. they gave us a free PC, stuck a satellite dish in the ground, and said "have fun."
it sucked. it wasnt reliable at all, and it was very slow. it was the same for everyone else. jackasses never removed the satellite dish either. i heard about one guy who took an axe to his just to get the damn thing out.
Is it just me or does anyone else think that putting a satellite into space that will route critical information for our Defense Department is a bad idea after China made clear it is working on satellite killer technology?
The race isn't always to the swift... but that's the way to bet!
Maybe I'm being dense... but don't satellite internet providers route packets through space all day long?