Satellite VPN Performance Report: Prepared by Prism Secure Networks, Inc.
Executive Summary
Prism Secure Networks participated in VPN performance testing in conjunction with the Canadian Coast Guard in an effort to determine which vendor’s technology performed the best over a satellite network.
Three vendors were evaluated: Blue Ridge Networks, Cisco, and Nortel Networks. All three vendors were tested using Microsoft’s standard file transfer or FTP client and server as the test application. All three vendors were tested with the same PC client.
The network was designed to simulate a transfer from ship to shore using a satellite to provide the base IP network. The testing site consisted of two satellite receivers in the same building—one receiver representing the ship and the second receiver representing the harbor base station.
Testing criteria included the following:
- Transfer rate
- Reliability
- Data integrity
- Ease of installation
- Physical Environment
Figure 1 shows the physical environment during testing. The first T1 connection connects to the VPN client and the second T1 connection connects to the FTP server.
Due to a late notification of a change in the testing schedule, the Blue Ridge Networks BorderGuard™ could not be shipped to St. Johns in time to meet the revised test schedule. In order to accommodate the test schedule change, the BorderGuard was left in Chantilly VA, USA. This caused an additional 100ms ping time due to the additional Internet transmission distance from the Island of Newfoundland, Canada to Chantilly VA, USA over a fractional T1 Internet connection.
The Blue Ridge Networks test environment was profiled to specifications provided by Prism Secure Networks. Prism then forwarded the client software and certificate to the Coast Guard support personnel. The Coast Guard support personnel then, having never used the Blue Ridge Networks VPN solution, installed the client software and security certificate. The Blue Ridge testing environment was completed in less than 45 minutes without the benefit of an onsite person from Prism or Blue Ridge Networks in attendance.
Results Overview
The Blue Ridge Networks VPN client out performed the Cisco and Nortel Networks VPN clients three to one in throughput. All ten file transfers completed with the Blue Ridge Networks VPN client compared to only one out of ten for Cisco, and only two out of ten for Nortel Networks.
The major difference was Blue Ridge Networks ability to maintain the tunnel state and integrity. Satellite communications are typically prone to errors when compared to other transmission types such as fiber optics or copper cable. The ability to deliver packets during high error rates in the satellite transmission is critical.
* It should be noted the satellite error rate was higher than normal for fixed position antennas, but it did approximate the typical error rate a shipboard antenna may experience during rough seas.
Results Detailed
The FTP testing was run in two sets. The vendors were allowed to make changes between test sets and the better of the two results were chosen. Canadian Coast Guard support personnel performed all tests. Client to server pings were run to set a connectivity baseline.
| Vendor | Ping Times |
| Blue Ridge Networks | 750ms plus |
| Cisco | 650ms plus |
| Nortel Networks | 650ms plus |
During the testing period, the satellite equipment reported a packet loss rate of 5%. These high rates of caused severe problems with the VPN tunnels causing them to actually shutdown at times.
| Vendor | Satellite Error Rate | VPN Tunnel Failures |
| Blue Ridge Networks | Approximately 5% | NO |
| Cisco | Approximately 5% | YES |
| Nortel Networks | Approximately 5% | YES |
FTP transfers
All vendors in all tests transferred the same file. Any transfers that corrupted the file were deemed incomplete.
| Vendor | FTP Attempts | File Transfers Completed | Transfer Rate |
| Blue Ridge Networks | 10 | 10 | 30KBS |
| Cisco | 10 | 1 | 10KBS |
| Nortel Networks | 10 | 2 | 10KBS |
The only vendor to successfully complete 100% of all transfer tests was Blue Ridge Networks.
About Prism Secure Networks, Inc.
Prism Secure Networks, Inc. delivers comprehensive, best-of-breed security technologies to protect corporate e-business information assets. Their specialized area of expertise is the provision of Network Security Professional Services and Managed Security Services for small- to medium-sized companies and enterprise corporations. More information about the company can be found at www.prismsecure.com.
About Blue Ridge Networks
Blue Ridge Networks develops impenetrable remote access solutions for wireless and wired environments. The BorderGuard product suite is one of the most stringently tested and validated solutions in the world, earning multiple certifications. Over its 12 year history, BorderGuard remains the only secure remote access solution to have no reported vulnerabilities.
For a more in-depth technical discussion of the strength of Blue Ridge Networks satellite solutions, or to test out the system in your own network, contact one of our secure communications experts at info@blueridgenetworks.com or 800/722.1168.
Give us a call at 1-800-722-1168 or contact us today online to talk about tailoring a RemoteLink Solution to meet remote connectivity needs and overall network security requirements.