The italian contribution to the integration of terrestrial and satellite networks

This paper presents the Italian interconnection of terrestrial and satellite networks by means of the FODA/IBEA system. A bridge implemented the interconnection of the satellite network on one side and the Ethernet and Token Ring terrestrial networks on the other side. With such an architecture, an experiment of videoconferencing was proved between Pisa and Florence, while data generated by TCP/IP based applications were also transmitted. The satellite network is described in the first part of the paper, while the bridge to access the satellite network is presented in the second pan. This bridge is part of a multimedia network which also includes the applications (voice, video and a file transfer application based on TCP/IP) and the internal conununication media.