Re: Satellite service recommendation (was Re: OT - Anyone using Direcway - now called Hughesnet)

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:51:28 -0800, Don Bradner <me@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Neon John <no@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have 6mb DSL now. I know I'm not going to get that kind of
performance from satellite but I gotta have something better than
dialup.

I figured my FAP post had gotten long enough, so I wanted to start a
new one to discuss the other most significant satellite issue, which
is latency. Pure satellite speed-of-light latency is about 550ms, but
it is coupled with delays in getting your packets slotted,
particularly on the upstream. That means average packet latency is
around 700-800ms when things are going well, worse when they aren't.

Thanks, Don.


Usenet connections: Somewhat noticeable when retrieving large numbers
of messages, substantially neutralized if your server will allow lots
of connections. The one I'm using (Astraweb) allows Agent to open 10
or so, and that really keeps things moving.

I wonder how that will affect a Usenet binaries download? I do a lot
of that from my Giganews subscription. Giganews allows multiple
connections, though I don't know how many. They can keep my 6mb pipe
full with 2.


E-Mail: A big effect when retrieving large numbers of small e-mails.
Slower than dialup, because there is little downloading time and a lot
of negotiation messages sent back and forth, each with full latency.
If the messages have attachments, those come quickly.

How much slower than dial-up? I handle anywhere from 500 to a
thousand emails a day. That's no problem on 48kbps dial-up, though it
does require the connection to be nailed up pretty much all the time.
Since I'll be at a fixed location, I wonder if I'd be better off using
the dial-up for email?

VoIP: Impacted substantially. In addition to the obvious issues with
delay, both HughesNet and WildBlue have something going on in their
traffic shaping that severely impact SIP services like Vonage and
Packet 8. Lower end services, particularly those based on Crystal
Voice's engine like NetZero Voice, are usable as long as you are not
expecting POTS quality of voice.

Oh, I hate to hear that. I was looking forward to using VOIP and (if
I can work out the email situation) not having a landline. Darn.

Did I forget anything? Ask if you have some other favorite.

How does the hardware connect to the PC? Ethernet, I hope. Does the
service work OK with a NAT router?

Is there any method to try the service before making that 2 year
committment? I'm rather loathe to commit that much money before I find
out if I can live with the peculiarities of the service.

About my only other option is to get on the mountaintop above my place
and install a cellphone to WiFi translator and beam the connection to
my place. I know that with a yagi I can get a Verizon digital signal
from the mountaintop and I have LOS to my place. I'd have to endure
probably unending bureaucratic red tape trying to get permission from
the Forest service for the site but if that's the only choice....

My biggest concern is re: Usenet service. I wonder if there is anyone
out there who repackages a feed as a tar or something and blorfs it
out to people who need to minimize tcp transactions? Twenty years ago
I used to offer that service with my ISP to people with high latency
and certain other problem connections.

John
---
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.johngsbbq.com
Cleveland, Occupied TN
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
.

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