INMARSAT FLEET BROADBAND MODEL FELCOM 250/FELCOM 500 FX MODE SET UP

1. Overview of the FX Service

The FX (Fleet Xpress) service is provided by the INMARSAT company and utilizes Ka band satellites to provide high speed connection. A GX terminal is required to use this service.

NOTE 1: The FX and FBB services cannot be used simultaneously.

NOTE 2: The FELCOM250/500 terminals allow use of the FBB service. They are not GX terminals.

2. FELCOM250/FELCOM500's Role in the FX Service Network

The FELCOM250/FELCOM500 units function as a backup communication device when using the FX service.

A diagram illustrates the network: Shipboard LAN connects to an NSD (Network Service Device). The NSD connects to a GX Terminal and a FELCOM250/FELCOM500 unit. Both the GX Terminal and the FELCOM250/FELCOM500 unit connect to a Satellite. The diagram indicates that when the FX service is used, if the GX terminal becomes unusable (e.g., disconnected, cannot transmit), the NSD automatically switches the line to the FELCOM unit.

If the signal from the GX terminal is dropped during transmission, the line is automatically switched from the GX terminal to the FELCOM250/FELCOM500. The automatic switching is conducted by the Network Service Device (NSD), which controls the FELCOM250/FELCOM500, Packet Switching (PS)* and disconnection.

*: Packet switching is dividing the data to be transferred into smaller pieces (packets) before transmitting the data. For brevity, all references to packet switching hereafter are written as “PS”.

3. How to Connect the FELCOM Unit to the NSD

Connect the LAN cable from the NSD to the FELCOM unit LAN port to be assigned for the FX service.

4. How to Set Up for FX Mode

NOTE: When FX mode is active, the NSD controls packet switching. PS connection/disconnection from devices such as handsets or PCs with Launchpad installed is not possible. When PS connection is attempted, the following error message is displayed on the handset's screen.

FX mode can be set up from the WEB menu, using the following procedure:

1. Select [Settings] on the menu bar, then left-click.
2. Select [Network Settings] then left-click.
3. Select [FX mode], then left-click.

A screen titled "Network settings / FX mode" appears, showing:

• FX mode: An [Enable] checkbox.
• Port for NSD: Options for LAN1, LAN2, LAN3, LAN4.
• The LAN port settings: Fields for IP address, Subnet mask.
• Default route: Field for Route to IP address.

The screen also notes that during "FX mode", the following are disabled: Multi voice, Alternative MS-ISDN, Data connection (WAN, PPPoE and Bridge mode), and Remote access.

Setup Steps:

1. To enable FX mode, left-click the [Enable] check box to display a check mark (✔️). To disable FX mode, left-click the box to remove the check mark.
2. Select the LAN port to which the NSD is to be connected, then left-click.
3. At the [IP address] line, set the IP address for the LAN port selected at step 5.
4. At the [Subnet mask] line, set the subnet mask for the LAN port selected at step 5.
5. At the [Route to] line, enter the IP address for the NSD LAN port which is connected to this unit.
6. Select [Apply], then left click. A confirmation message "The CmmUnt will restart automatically after this settings. Continue?" is displayed.
7. Select [OK], then left-click.
8. When the set up is complete, the message "Completed" is displayed. Select [OK], then left-click.
9. The unit will now restart. When restart is completed, the main screen is automatically displayed.

5. Checking the Connection to FX Mode

Check the following items to be sure that the unit is connected correctly to FX mode.

1. From the menu bar, select [Main], then left-click.
2. Select [Status Monitor], then left-click. A screen similar to the one shown below appears.

The "Status monitor" screen displays information such as Tracking status, Satellite, Signal strength, Ship position information, and Communication status. Under Communication status, "Data connection (FX)" is shown. The data size for connected PCs' group packets is displayed. The "Connection" status, typically shown below "Data size", is hidden in FX mode.

3. From the menu bar, select [Main], then left-click.
4. Select [Data connection], then left-click. A screen similar to the one shown below appears.

The screen title has "(FX mode)" added to the end. The label column of the table has "FX" added to each entry. The table shows connection details like Label, P/S, Service, Status, and IP address. For example, entries like "FX (ID: 0) P Standard Connected 161.30.105.22" are displayed. In FX mode, the connections are automatically controlled.

6. Precautions When Using FX Mode

When using FX mode, the operational function restrictions shown in the table below apply.