Satellite networking is done through communication to a satellite in space. Satellite connections have a high cost compared to terrestrial networking. It provides for common speeds of 50Mbit/s down, 3 Mbit/s up.
Satellite connection is best for remote sites where it may difficult to connect to cable or DSL networks.
Disadvantages of Satellite Networking
Satellite networking has high latency up to 250 ms up, and 250 ms down. It does take time to get data all the way up to the satellite and then back down to earth.
Satellite networking also relies on line of sight. Rain can cause interference and may block the connection.
- Get data beamed to a satellite dish on your home/office. Receiver handles the flow of data and sends it through an Ethernet cable to the NIC on your computer.
- Satellite dish needs to point towards the satellites
- Distances the data must travel causes a slight delay called satellite latency. Signal degrades further in foul weather.
- Configuration: A satellite dish professional installed with line of sight to the satellite. A coax cable runs from the dish to your satellite modem. The satellite modem has an RJ-45 connection which then connects to your computer or router.
