Using ISA Server with Starband / BT Openworld 2-way (Gilat-based) Satellite Connection

I’ve noticed a number of posts in forums about how to set up ISA Server to work with a Starband (and other Gilat based 2 way satellite internet connection). I thought that as I am using the connection it was time to set up ISA Server on the gateway PC running the Starband software and see whether it could be made to work.

I’ve noticed a number of posts in forums about how to set up ISA Server to work with a Starband (and other Gilat based 2 way satellite internet connection). I thought that as I am using the connection it was time to set up ISA Server on the gateway PC running the Starband software and see whether it could be made to work.

The way the Gilat Skyblaster 360 satellite modem and Starband software interact makes allowing ports a little strange and some of the required ports (such as the one required to be open to allow updates otherwise the software decides the modem is disconnected!) make you wonder what Gilat were up to when designing the software.

Just one last thing you cannot connect the Gilat Skyblaster 360 directly into a hardware router as the proprietary protocol used is not routable and Gilat blocks IP packets (not encapsulated in its protocol). You can get it to work but only at ISDN speeds.

Anyway here are the packet filters required for the Starband connection to work.

Packet filters

I am not going to show how to create each individual packet filter. A good article on the subject and how to create them is at http://www.isaserver.org/tutorials/How_to_use_ISA_Server_Packet_Filters.html

Server 360 #1 (224.0.0.1 is the multicast address)

IP Protocol: Custom

Protocol number: 2

Direction: both

This computer (on the perimeter network): 172.21.1.254

This remote computer: 224.0.0.1

 

Server 360 #2 (for the Starcontrol software to "check" the modem (part of the Ibqossvc Module))

IP Protocol: UDP

Direction: Both

Local Port: Fixed port - 1880

Remote Port: Fixed port - 1880

This computer (on the perimeter network): 192.168.255.252

This remote computer: 239.192.19.1

 

Server 360 #3 (for the Starcontrol software to "check" the modem (part of the Ibqossvc Module))

IP Protocol: UDP

Direction: Both

Local Port: All ports

Remote Port: Fixed port - 1880

Default IP address on the external interface

This remote computer: 192.168.255.252

 

AS Agent #1 (the Internet Page Accelerator)

IP Protocol: TCP

Direction: Both

Local port: All ports

Remote Port: Fixed port - 9877

Default IP address on the external interface

All remote computers

 

AS Agent #2 (the Internet Page Accelerator)

IP Protocol: TCP

Direction: Both

Local port: All ports

Remote Port: Fixed port - 9876

Default IP address on the external interface

All remote computers

 

Note from Tom Shinder:

I have never seen a Starband connection, so I won't be able to help you with the any problems with Starband or any other type of satellite link. If you have problems, you should try posting to the Web boards and see if Marcus will be able to to help. The link at http://forums.isaserver.org/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=008962 is dedicated to this topic and article. Thanks! --Tom

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