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Organizations expect security and stability when sending sensitive files. However, achieving these goals can get a bit tricky without robust and accelerated file transfer software—especially when using satellite services.
Internet over satellite has been around since the mid-1990s using traditional data satellites such as VSAT, HughesNet, and Iridium – all which operate in geo-stationary orbit (22,236 miles above the earth’s surface). The signal with traditional satellites travels up to the satellite, then back down to the receiver, for a round trip “flight” of 43,000 miles.
This long trip can create substantial latency on the data connections needed (up to 1 second RTT or Round-Trip Time delay). A high RTT can impact video streaming, gaming, and other interactive applications.
Modern Satellite Internet Services Reduce Data Travel Time
A more modern alternative, Starlink, uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is about 125 to 620 miles above the earth – far lower than traditional satellite technology. In addition, LEO satellites use a relay system, where multiple satellites bounce the signal instead of relying on a single satellite.
LEO technology reduces RTT time to just 350-400 ms latency.
Sending Data Across the Sea with Satellite Solutions
On land, in populated areas, satellite technology is typically unnecessary; there are plenty of connectivity options via copper or fiber. However, remote areas and marine operations rely heavily on satellites. Marine communications such as ship-to-ship, shore-to-ship, or ship-to-shore are best examples of use cases where accelerated file transfers are critical to the mission's success.
From the Navy transmitting mission-critical intelligence to cruise ships providing onboard entertainment, many entities rely on secure, modern satellite systems like Starlink for clear and secure data transfers.
UDP-based Technology Helps Send Big Data Over Satellite
When it comes to satellite transfers, UDP-based solutions like FileCatalyst are essential. “Our customers see up to 100x better performance on geostationary satellites, and over 25x better performance with LEO satellites like Starlink,” said John Tkaczewski, Senior Solutions Architect, FileCatalyst.
FileCatalyst uses a proprietary UDP-based protocol, a highly efficient, patent-pending, retransmission and congestion control mechanism that adds a reliability layer to UDP. The flow of data can achieve full line speed with a low 0.25% overhead.
FileCatalyst offers several features that optimize satellite data transfers:
- Checkpoint restarting: Automatically resumes transfers from where they left off, if interrupted
- Satellite-specific congestion control algorithm: Optimizes throughput despite any latency or packet loss
- MD5 checksum validation: Ensures files arrive intact and uncorrupted
- Fine-grain bandwidth controls: Allows users to manage and throttle bandwidth per file or connection
“We’ve also released a new rate-based congestion control algorithm specifically for LEO networks like Starlink,” added Tkaczewski. “I encourage interested organizations to try our speed calculator to see just how fast a satellite transfer can occur in a given situation."
File Transfer Speed Calculator
On-the-Fly Compression Accelerates File Transfers
FileCatalyst’s on-the-fly compression and built-in rsynch accelerates file transfers, by allowing digital files to be reduced in size as they are sent. This compression occurs as the file is being transferred, saving preparation time. And as the files reach the recipient, they are decompressed and automatically stored in their original formats.
There is less setup and teardown, which becomes especially important when transferring a large number of files. Standard compression techniques interrupt the data flow, adding to the total time and making the file transfer appear slower. When sending one large archive, there is only one setup and teardown involved, which greatly speeds up the overall transfer process.
File Transfer Resume and Retry on Steroids
FileCatalyst offers smart checkpoint restarting that guarantees "always perfect" file transfers, even if dark clouds roll in the sky, or if rain or snow starts to fall. For marine applications, the pitch and roll of the ship in rough seas can often disrupt connectivity and only purpose-built UDP protocols, such as FileCatalyst can guarantee file delivery.
File Security for Satellite Technology
Whether your organization regularly sends critical data from an aircraft carrier at sea or from an office building in the Midwest, organizations should deploy AES 256-bit data encryption to protect that data in motion.
“Data is the driver of most everything today, so speed and security are not optional, they are mandatory,” said Tkaczewski. “UDP-based file transfer solutions pair exceptionally well with LEO technologies like Starlink, to give organizations the confidence to send supersized data sets from and to the sea, air, or land, knowing they’ll arrive intact and as intended.”
UDP-based Technology and Starlink Satellites: A Perfect Paring
Need to transfer massive data sets from the sea, sky, or remote locations? FileCatalyst’s UDP-based technology, optimized for satellite networks like Starlink, ensures those files arrive quickly and securely.
