Inmarsat has long been a key player in global communications, providing innovative solutions for maritime, aviation and enterprise connectivity. One such solution is the Inmarsat SNAC (Service Network Access Controller), a key component of their network infrastructure. In this expert article, we aim to demystify Inmarsat SNAC by exploring its capabilities, functionalities and its importance in facilitating reliable and secure communications services.

Understanding Inmarsat SNAC

At its core, Inmarsat SNAC serves as a critical gateway between user terminals and the Inmarsat network. We explore how SNAC acts as a central control point, managing access, routing and security protocols for the diverse range of communications services offered by Inmarsat.

Key features and functionalities

Inmarsat SNAC leverages advanced technology to facilitate secure and efficient communication across a global network. Understanding the underlying technology is essential for comprehending the capabilities and functionalities of SNAC. Let’s explore the key aspects of the technology behind Inmarsat SNAC:

• Network Access Control: Inmarsat SNAC acts as a central control point for managing network access. It authenticates and authorizes user terminals, ensuring that only authorized devices can connect to the Inmarsat network. This feature enhances security and prevents unauthorized access, protecting sensitive data and communications.
• Traffic Prioritization: SNAC incorporates traffic prioritization mechanisms that enable efficient allocation of network resources. It ensures that critical communications services, such as emergency calls or safety-related data, are prioritized over non-essential traffic. This prioritization maximizes quality of service, even during periods of high network congestion.
• Quality of Service Management: Inmarsat SNAC enables effective Quality of Service (QoS) management, ensuring that different types of communication services receive appropriate bandwidth and performance levels. By dynamically allocating resources based on service requirements, SNAC optimises network performance and enhances the user experience.
• Routing and Protocol Support: SNAC facilitates the routing of data packets between user terminals and the Inmarsat network. It supports multiple communication protocols, including IP-based protocols, enabling seamless integration with different applications and devices. This flexibility enables interoperability and easy integration with existing communications infrastructures.
• Security and Authentication: Inmarsat SNAC incorporates robust security measures to protect network integrity and user data. It uses encryption algorithms and authentication mechanisms to ensure secure communication between user terminals and the network. These security measures protect against unauthorized access, data breaches and other cyber threats.
• Monitoring and Reporting: SNAC includes monitoring and reporting capabilities that allow network administrators to gain insight into network performance, usage patterns, and potential problems. This information enables proactive management and troubleshooting to ensure optimal network performance and reliability.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Inmarsat SNAC is designed to scale to meet growing network demands. It can handle large numbers of user terminals, making it suitable for deployments requiring extensive coverage. In addition, SNAC’s flexible architecture enables seamless integration with different network infrastructures and the ability to adapt to evolving communications requirements.
• Redundancy and Resilience: Inmarsat SNAC incorporates redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure network resilience. It uses redundant hardware and connectivity options to minimize the risk of service interruption. This redundancy feature increases the reliability of communications services, particularly in critical applications such as emergency response or mission-critical operations.

Supporting maritime and aviation connectivity

Inmarsat SNAC plays a critical role in supporting maritime and aviation communications services. We examine how SNAC enables reliable and continuous connectivity for ships and aircraft, enabling essential operations such as voice communications, data transfer and security services. We also examine how SNAC supports regulatory compliance and improves situational awareness in these industries.

Enterprise applications and network security

Beyond maritime and aviation, Inmarsat SNAC has applications in enterprise networks where secure and reliable communications are paramount. We discuss how SNAC facilitates secure remote access, virtual private networks (VPNs) and other critical communications services for businesses operating in remote or challenging environments. We also highlight the robust security measures built into SNAC to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of network communications.

The importance of Inmarsat SNAC

We highlight the importance of Inmarsat SNAC in maintaining a robust and resilient global communications infrastructure. By providing centralized control and management of network access and security, SNAC ensures the integrity and availability of communications services, fostering connectivity that is vital to industry, emergency response and remote operations worldwide.

Bottom line

Inmarsat SNAC is a critical component of Inmarsat’s network infrastructure, serving as the gateway for reliable and secure communications services. By understanding the capabilities and functionalities of SNAC, we gain insight into the underlying mechanisms that enable seamless connectivity and data integrity for industries such as maritime, aviation and enterprise. As technology continues to evolve, Inmarsat SNAC remains at the forefront of facilitating efficient and secure communications, empowering businesses and organizations around the world.

FAQs

What is Inmarsat SNAC?

The Inmarsat SNAC (Service Network Access Controller) is a critical component of the Inmarsat communications infrastructure. It acts as a central control point, managing network access, routing and security protocols for a wide range of communication services. SNAC acts as a gateway between user terminals and the Inmarsat network, ensuring secure and efficient connectivity. It authenticates and authorizes terminals, prioritizes traffic and manages quality of service to optimize network performance. With robust security measures, SNAC protects sensitive data and prevents unauthorized access. It supports multiple industries, including maritime, aviation and enterprise networks, enabling reliable and seamless communications worldwide. Inmarsat SNAC’s architecture, advanced technology and comprehensive features make it an essential component in enabling global connectivity and communications.

What is Inmarsat used for?

Guaranteed for reliability and built to last, Inmarsat C and Mini C is a two-way store and forward communication system transmitting messages from ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship. Send and receive data from across the oceans including email, SMS, telex, chart and weather updates.

What is special access code Inmarsat?

Telephone calls from the terrestrial telephone network (PSTN) to an Inmarsat network are made using the Inmarsat +870 single number access code, which is the same as a country code number.

How many types of Inmarsat are there?

Inmarsat-B uses a rather large dish antenna which has to be kept pointed to the satellite. Inmarsat-C is a low speed data services which uses a small omni directional antenna. Data speed is around 600 bit/s. Inmarsat-Mini M provides the Inmarsat-M service with a small and compact satellite terminal.

What is an Inmarsat and how does it work?

The Inmarsat satellite constellation consists of 13 satellites in a geosynchronous (GEO) orbit approximately 22,000 miles above the earth. The satellites are positioned to transmit radio beams in two global configurations covering the oceans and major land masses.

What is the difference between VSAT and Inmarsat?

Coverage: Inmarsat provides almost global coverage for BGAN, with terminals in South America, Africa, Europe or Asia. Meanwhile, VSAT, in most cases, needs separate contracts on different satellites and teleports to achieve global coverage.

How do I dial an Inmarsat phone?

DIALING OUT WITH YOUR SATELLITE PHONE

1. Dial 00 , Country Code , Phone Number.
2. Dial 00 , Inmarsat Phone Number (870-xxxx-xxxxx)
3. 1) Phone: From a US land line dial 011 + Inmarsat Phone Number (870-xxxx-xxxxx ) From other countries follow the rules for dialing an international number.

What is SAT C on ships?

SAT-C is mainly used in maritime communications, but is also widely used for long distance truck fleet management where the trucks are polled and then return position information from a GPS receiver. The system also finds its use in the remote control of pumping stations or remote data acquisition.

What is special access requirements?

Definition(s): A program established for a specific class of classified information that imposes safeguarding and access requirements that exceed those normally required for information at the same classification level.

What is the 2 digit code used for maritime assistance?

38 – Medical assistance. 39 – Maritime assistance. 41 – Meteorological report. 42 – Navigational hazard and warnings.

What services does Inmarsat?

Nowadays Inmarsat is the largest provider of mobile satellite communication services providing to its subscribers telephone and facsimile communication, data transmission at sea, on land and in the air.

What are the Inmarsat services?

Inmarsat offers a wide range of voice and data satellite communication services delivering global coverage on land, at sea and in the air over the world’s most reliable mobile satellite networks.

What can I receive from Inmarsat?

Inmarsat provides services such as satellite phone communications, broadband internet, and short text and data messaging services. Geostationary means that the Inmarsat satellites are in a fixed position in the sky and do not move.

What is Inmarsat in MARitime?

INternational MARitime SATellite Communications

The INMARSAT system allows rapid communications between a ship and a land station or between ships. Communications is by voice or teletype; distress calls and messages can also be initiated.

Is Inmarsat C part of GMDSS?

Inmarsat is the leading provider of GMDSS-approved satellite communication services. Our Inmarsat C service has been keeping seafarers safe at sea every day since the inception of GMDSS in 1999 through the receipt and transmission of vital ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship distress alerts.

What is the full meaning of Inmarsat?

IMSO oversight body and commercial Inmarsat created

In 1994, the name of the Organization was changed to the International Mobile Satellite Organization, then abbreviated to Inmarsat.