Livewire Connections, UK, has launched its new Access Controller range. The Access Controller FB10 and FB10 Pro are designed to simplify off-vessel communications management, whilst providing visibility and control to the user at all times.
The Access Controller allows the user to connect up to ten different services (off-vessel communication devices) which can easily be selected with the click of a button in the Access Controllers's "Graphical User Interface" (GUI).
The software is designed to be as simple as possible for the user to operate and it can run on multiple networked PCs around the vessel, all at the same time.
It provides easy-to-read time and data counters used for each service, giving the user visibility of their usage costs.
There is even an inbuilt call log utility where the costs of each service can be set and a summary can be downloaded into Excel.
"The best features are the time and data counters" said Technical Sales Manager Warwick Stanley. "Many captains fear a large communications bill. They are often reluctant to use an "always-on" communications system as the user has little idea of how much data they have used or the cost involved.
"With the Access Controller FB-10's inbuilt billing utility, not only can a user see the time online and the volume of data sent and received, but they can also keep track of their usage costs.
"Communications usage costs can now be broken down by service, time or firewall groups. Our aim was to remove doubt and to enable captains to get on with running their vessels instead of worrying about communication bills. The GUI does this by providing visibility and control at all times."
One of the main features in the Access Controller is its "Dynamic Firewall", which allows users to create their own definitions of firewall groups. These groups of firewall rules can then be applied with ease from a drop down list in the GUI.
It is even possible to specify which services each rule applies to, for example, one can allow web access when VSAT is selected but limit traffic to email only when using Fleet F77 ISDN.
All the normal criteria expected from a standalone firewall can be used as well to give any IT department the full control and flexible data routing solution that they require.
Building on these features the Access Controller FB-10 also offers a range of other enhanced features, including:
The Access Controller is designed to work with existing systems as a stand alone device with no contractual fees or ties. It can easily be integrated with existing optimised email systems using features like "Dial-On-Demand" and "No Traffic Timeout".
These features together with the "Dynamic Firewall" allow an email server with a scheduled send/receive to establish a call when needed, on demand and then disconnect after a short timeout period of inactivity has been reached. This ensures that the benefit of optimised email systems are maintained over narrowband satellite links like Fleet F77 ISDN and continue to provide the cost benefit associated with their use.
The advanced remote support features have been implemented to provide shore side airtime and technical support staff with remote access directly to the VSAT Modem/FBB terminal via another method of connectivity.
For users with Seatel systems there is also an inbuilt feature to connect to the DAC antenna control unit for controlling the antenna remotely. This allows shore side technicians to perform system maintenance and support, reducing the reliance on dedicated onboard technical knowledge and onboard engineering attendance.
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