Solutions Brief

NuvlaCity

Boosting Satellite Services

SIXSQ SÀRL

RUE DU BOIS-DU-LAN 8

1217 MEYRIN

GENEVA

SWITZERLAND

WWW.SIXSQ.COM

Solutions Brief – NuvlaCity – Satellite Application

Copyright © 2018 SixSq Sàrl, member of the RHEA Group All rights reserved Page 2 of 5

1 Introduction

Satellite communications bring connectivity to customers in rural and remote areas who cannot obtain internet access from a terrestrial provider. This gives satellite companies an unparalleled opportunity to deliver add-on service applications to these locations.

2 The Problem to Solve

To provide these add-on service applications, satellite connectivity and service providers, as well as their partners, will need to deploy and monitor software applications to the users. This must include data and software updates, over the satellite link, alongside terrestrial links as and when available. This means they need to be able to deploy and use their software applications simply, securely and reliably independently of the satellite or terrestrial service(s) being used.

3 Proposed Solution

NuvlaCity can provide users of satellite connectivity and service providers with an affordable platform to host and support applications over a satellite link, via an IP-based LAN interface to a satellite modem.

The NuvlaBox, the smart application platform developed by SixSq, incorporates mature cloud technology, including a cloud management software, to provide a powerful way to allow users to reliably and securely deploy, manage and maintain applications in the field to, for example, support a field command centre, teams for rapid deployment and NGOs, as well as or lower-bandwidth M2M communications to monitor remote sites or installations.

Figure 1: Application deployment overview

User

Enterprise Open App Storepowered by

1 Power up

2 Connect(via satcom)

3 SelectApp

4 Deploy App(automatic)

5 Enjoy!

Solutions Brief – NuvlaCity – Satellite Application

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SlipStream is the unique software that supports the automation deployment of applications, running inside Virtual Machines (VM). This is made possible using the underlying cloud Application Programming Interface (API), via cloud connectors. Clouds supported include OpenStack, CloudStack, OpenNebula, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, VMware and many others. The core of SlipStream is open source. NuvlaBox extends this concept with a cloud-in-a-box that can be accessed by local users via built-in WiFi or a LAN. The NuvlaBox is designed to be rugged and low-maintenance with minimal set-up needed in the field (“post and play”). After a power outage, it will reboot and bring-up the services again without external intervention.

NuvlaBox can be deployed pre-loaded with applications and can be securely and remotely managed and controlled from using SlipStream. Once deployed, updates and maintenance can be made and new applications deployed via the (satcom) communications links – normally without having to redeploy a complete VM. Many applications could be deployed on the platform including database servers, web-based applications, video surveillance, cyber security monitoring, e-health, e-education, map servers and so-on, running on any Linux and Windows operating systems.

Figure 2: NuvlaBox with satellite connectivity

All the NuvlaBox needs is a network connection and has been optimised in order to be able to take advantage of any satcom terminal offering an IP connection. This makes the appliance ideal where the users might need to access communication via more than one service. NuvlaBox can also act as a WiFi hub, allowing users in the vicinity to access applications on their laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc.

Dashboard

Private App Store

Local network (e.g. LAN, WiFi)Satellite link

Central Service

Albert Einstein

VM1 VM2 VM3

Satellite link

Solutions Brief – NuvlaCity – Satellite Application

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The NuvlaBox hardware is fan-less, dust-resistant and certified for operations of up to 50°C and runs on 19 volts, which makes it ideal for field operations. It comes in several models to support different needs. The NuvlaBox Mini consumes as little as 8W of power, making it ideal for use in remote locations, where power is limited.

Figure 3: Hardware overview

4 End-Users

There following are just a handful of the numerous use cases that NuvlaCity can address:

• Organisations that need to rapidly deploy and set-up a facility and a team in a remote location. Examples could include a field command centre for humanitarian relief, a portable medical facility to combat an epidemic or a centre to monitor elections.

• Organisations wishing to securely monitor remote locations or installations e.g. through video surveillance, but only sending data when an event occurs. Examples could include monitoring solar farms, electricity substations, waste dumps or other locations where 24x7 monitoring is needed. These can be augmented with cyber security software such as intrusion detection and in some cases can replace several different pieces of equipment with a single box.

• Organisations wishing to deploy and internet services where there is intermittent, low-bandwidth or high-cost communication. Here the NuvlaBox can acts as a local proxy in which the service is hosted on the NuvlaBox and data is transferred back to the central server as and when communication links are available. Examples include e-Health, and E-Education applications.

5 About SixSq

SixSq provides cloud and edge computing solutions which allow companies and institutions to benefit from cloud computing while avoiding lock-in. Its smart cloud-in-a-box appliance, NuvlaBox®, is a simple plug & play IT solution which brings customers a private cloud at an

Solutions Brief – NuvlaCity – Satellite Application

Copyright © 2018 SixSq Sàrl, member of the RHEA Group All rights reserved Page 5 of 5

affordable price as well as playing an intrinsic part of smart city and IoT strategies. SixSq’s smart cloud brokerage platform, Nuvla®, offers application deployment from a single, simple dashboard. Nuvla® is powered by SlipStream®, the company’s cloud management platform, which allows users to deploy any application in any cloud.

SixSq is a member of the RHEA Group.