Iridium Provides Satellite Data Links for Management and Recovery Solutions for Remote Communication Network Sites

January 26, 2010

Proactive Communications is deploying a new automated remote management (ARM) system that uses satellite data links provided by Iridium Communications Inc. for out-of-band backup access to remote communication network sites.

Data Technology Solutions (DTS), an Iridium value-added reseller, is supplying the system, which uses ARM technology developed by Uplogix, an Iridium value-added manufacturer. The Uplogix system relies on Iridium’s global satellite circuit-switched data service.

“The Iridium satellite data link acts as a secure ‘back door’ to provide a secondary means of accessing devices and systems if the primary connection has been lost,” explained Michael Guidroz, president of DTS. “This ensures rapid restoration of service to the network, as well as a substantial reduction in IT support costs.”

“Our mission-critical satellite communication sites are located in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, natural-disaster areas and remote geographic locations, which are not readily accessible for maintenance and repair,” said Larry Hall, chief operations officer of Proactive Communications. “With Uplogix’s Iridium-based ARM, our customers can restore network connectivity within minutes, without dispatching a technician to the location. It also gives our customers unprecedented visibility into the status of their network nodes.”

“Our ARM solution combines the local access and control of a console server, the in-depth monitoring and diagnostics of systems management software and the intelligence of an on-site technician into an integrated remote management appliance,” said Mark Piening, vice president of marketing, Uplogix. “We have designed it to ensure internal security and management policies are always observed, even during a network outage.”

“Iridium’s global coverage area, reliable network and low-latency satellite circuit-switched data service, with very small, low-cost hardware, provides an ideal medium for this out-of-band solution,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium. “It’s another great example of how our growing ecosystem of value-added partners is developing and deploying new Iridium-enabled technologies to solve real-world problems for users around the world.”