The Sidereal Message Switch allows incompatible systems, networks and equipment of practically any type to be linked together in a cohesive messaging network. Such functions as speed and code conversion, automatic relaying, and circuit pooling make message and data switching easy and economical - both within private and public networks.

As your needs grow or change, you can add new communications packages, optional software packages, or additional systems. Built-in system templates allow you to reconfigure your system at any time, add or delete nodes, or change user access parameters as needed.

The availability of sophisticated error checking procedures assure you of end- to-end integrity. System reliability is also enhanced by fully integrated, software driven, diagnostic routines.

System templates for installation management and system reconfiguration

Built-in system templates make it easy to configure the system at installation time. There are templates for inbound/outbound message formats, delivery confirmation, station request and status reports. Designed for user configurable message formatting with definable fields, these templates make system configuration extremely flexible. The system can be configured to handle inbound traffic from virtually any type of terminal, network or system, or to send outbound traffic to practically any terminal or telecommunications service. Each template specifies the variables that can be included in a particular format (inbound message format, acknowledgement format, etc).

The variables are identified as fields and can be defined by name, character, length, location for data verification, and whether it is mandatory or optional. The fields are then verified for correct information by comparing the input fields against a table maintained by the acknowledgement process. Status reports can be custom tailored by switch operations personnel to fit the requirements of the site. After installation, the system can be reconfigured at any time using the templates - without the aid of the manufacturer.

Message processing

The Sidereal Message Switch incorporates message processing functions that make it state-of-the-art in every sense. The key functions are listed below with a brief description of each.

Store and forward switching

The message handling environment is made up of users, stations and switches. After a user prepares a message at his station, the switch automatically routes the message between stations, over gateway services, private and public networks and/or places it in specified mailboxes. When the switch receives a message for processing, it "safe stores" message to disk before acknowledging receipt of the message.

Real-time Message Switching

In addition to processing message on a store and forward basis, the Sidereal Message Switch can also process messages on a real-time basis. In this case, the inbound message is routed in real-time (i.e., buffering only a few characters at a time) as opposed to storing the entire message on disk before routing.

Message Numbering

Messages submitted to the switch are assigned an input sequence number (ISN) that is sequential for the originating station. The message is then known to the system by its ISN. Further actions from the originator specify the ISN. As the system delivers a message, it generates an output sequence number (OSN) for the receiving station. This establishes a sequencing that can be used to verify system operation. When a receiving station submits a request for re- transmission the OSN must be utilized.  User reference numbers may also be assigned by the message originator. These reference numbers maybe used in conjunction with a switch option that checks the numerical order of incoming messages in order to flag possible duplicate messages.

Message Addressing - Stations

Nodes are known delivery points on the network and are referenced according to three options: automatic delivery station, mailbox, or a station on another switch. Mnemonic codes are used to describe network locations, simplify distribution lists and identify gateway services. These codes reference entries in an address table where the detailed addressing information (e.g. port, telex umber) is stored. When there are multiple switches in the network, a switch code (or area code) is used to direct traffic between switches. Each switch maintains the normal and alternate routing information for all stations on that switch, and for all switches on the network. The address codes used by the Switch may be numeric (for use on Telex and Telephone Networks) or characters for E-Mail addressing. Distribution (Mailing) lists are groups of stations that can be easily referenced using distribution list mnemonics. A message originator can specify that the message be delivered to all stations on a list simply by using one distribution list mnemonic.

Gateway Services

Gateway services are ports on the switch that are available to users for messages destined for locations not on the network (i.e. homed off of a Sidereal message switch). A message originator may specify a gateway service along with additional routing information; the switch will then process the message as if it were destined for a network station.

Multiple Station Addressing

Messages can be routed to multiple destinations by specifying multiple mnemonic codes. Station mnemonics, distribution list mnemonics, and gateway service mnemonics may all be used within a message to specify multiple destinations.

Intercept

The switch may be set up to route incorrect messages to an intercept station where the message can be edited, corrected and resubmitted to the switch for processing.

Message Acknowledgement

Inbound messages are checked for format errors. Messages that pass are "accepted" into the switch, and an acceptance notice is sent back to the originator. A message that fails the detection routine is rejected and an error notice can be sent back to the originator.

Delivery confirmation

An optional delivery confirmation is sent to the message originator after successful delivery or after all attempts at delivery have failed.

Message Retrieval

Messages sent either from or to a station may be recalled from the switch without operator intervention. Multiple messages in sequence can be retrieved simply by specifying a starting and ending message number. However, for security, no station can request retrieval of a message that it did not send or receive.

Message Status Reporting

To inquire about delivery status of a given message, a station can submit a message status request. The switch will then return a detailed status report on every step of the delivery process associated with that  message.

Network Control

The switch control console workstation provides access to detailed information about locations on the network. Address lists can be updated, changed, added, or deleted from the network. Other functions of network control include billing, system log, message journal, routing commands, status of system operations, network utilities, archival and retrieval, restart and recovery.

Billing

Billing entries from the message journal can be consolidated and grouped to form a file containing billing information. The file will be formatted in fixed block records for processing locally or by another CPU. This file may be transmitted via a communication link for process by another CPU.

System Log

Significant system events are entered in the system log as they occur. This information spans operational areas such as disk I/O, console operations, circuit malfunctions, and more.

Message Journal

Events relating to message handling are chronologically maintained in the message journal. These include pertinent information about message transmission, such as, messages accepted or rejected, retrieval requests, good or bad transmissions, etc.

Routing Commands

These commands are used to control the communication functions of the network. For example, certain commands can force connection to a station, designate alternate routing for a station, suspend a station from normal operation or allow inbound or outbound only traffic.

System Status

From the switch control console inquires into various system operations can be made. For example, one can obtain status reports on messages in the transmit queue, a log of error reports, a report of network activity, and utilization statisics .

Archival and Retrieval

Long term off-line storage of messages is performed from the switch control console. Inactive messages may be moved to off-line storage, or specific messages may be recalled to be transmitted .

Restart and Recovery

The switch operator has the ability to halt operation in an orderly manner. System status messages are saved so that normal operations may resume when the switch is restarted. Because operational information is kept on disk, resumption of system operation is possible in the event of power failure. Additionally, an optional uninteruptable power supply is available that allows for automatic orderly shutdowns and restarts in the event of a power failure.

Circuit Pooling

When several ports or circuits of a given type are configured, these circuits can be pooled in order to obtain maximum utilization. If this option is set, the system will search for an available circuit. For diagnostic purposes, the console operator can override this search.

Electronic Mailbox

Messages can be held by the switch in a mailbox that can be queried by a PC or other device to retrieve messages.

Message Priorities

Ten levels of message delivery priorities are supported by the Sidereal Message Switch. As an option, the highest priority can provide a preemption where by the transmission of lower priority messages is interrupted to allow the transmission of the highest priority message.

Message Batching

Groups of individual messages can be combined for transmittal to the switch and/or held for delivery to a particular station or network at a specific date and time.

Polling

The message switch can be configured to poll remote stations or switches on a periodic basis to gather message traffic.

Distributed Switching

The Sidereal Message Switch can act as the hub in a single switch network or one of many switches in a multiple switch environment consisting of both Sidereal and/or non Sidereal Message Switches.

Alternate Routing

The Sidereal Message Switch supports automatic alternate routing where by if the message cannot be delivered after exhausting the retry counter, then the switch will attempt to deliver the message to a predefined alternate destination.

Automatic Retry

Each port can be configured with a retry counter that determines the number of attempts (as well as the time duration between attempts) before the switch flags the message as undeliverable.

Automatic Conversions

The Sidereal Message Switch provides Automatic speed, code, protocol and format conversion between ports, thus, allowing message interchange between various disparate stations, networks and terminal equipment.

Exceptional Customer Service

From product design through installation and after, Sidereal focuses on customer needs.   Sidereal customer support is a critical component of its equipment and services.   Technicians and on-site support service are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address emergency situations.  Sidereal's exclusive hardware and copyrighted software are exceptionally user-friendly.  Self-prompting menus and specialized function keyboard keys make it easy for users to concentrate on their task and transmission not the system.

Network Support

Sidereal supports a wide variety of private and public government networks including:
AUTODIN, ARINC, AFTN, SITA, Easylink, NLETS, ARX, NADIN, FAX, S.W.I.F.T.

Specifications

Traffic - 5000 msgs/hr

Message size - 2000 char.avg.

Protocols - AUTODIN Mode 1, X.25, Bisync, TWX, Telex,8A1, 83B3, SMTP,85A1, Freewheeling, DDD (110-9600bd), Group 3 Facsimile, 802.3

Speeds - 50 -- 56k bps

Formats - JANAP-128 I, ACP126, ACP127, DD173, IATA, ICAO, Telex, FTCC, GNET, ITT, MCI, RCA, TRT, X.400 and more. . . .

Codes - ASCII, EBCDIC, ITA#2, WUD bdt, CCITT Alpha 2

RAM Data

Reliability:          MTBF - 9362 POH
Availability:      .99995
Maintainability: MTTR - .5 Hour

Environmental

Power - 110/220 V
Operating Temp. - 10--35 C
Humidity - 20--80% non-condensing

Customers include:

AT&T; Dept of Civil Aviation, Curacao N.A.; U.S. Air Force; U.S. Navy; Aeronautical Radio Inc (ARINC); Airline Operations Services (AOS); Army Air Force Exchange Service; U.S. Customs Service; PDVSA; BBV Provincial; Banco Mercantil; Banco Central de Venezuela; Harris Corporation; National Weather Service; PR Newswire; United Nations; Bank of China; Daiichi-Kango Bank; Fuji Bank; NASA; AIG Trading; Armed Forces Radio and TV Service; Rockwell International; GTE; Federal Reserve Bank of NY; Ceasar's Atlantic City;  The Sands Hotel and Casino; The Hollywood Casino

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.  Features and specification are subject to change without notice.