Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.‘s Skyedge hub will be incorporated in Cisco‘s routers as part of an agreement between the two companies, Gilat announced June 12. The deal allows VSAT service providers who operate the hub to provide satellite services using the Cisco VSAT NM, offering Cisco customers voice, video, data and wireless communications transmission via high-speed satellite transmission.

The hub has met the Cisco Technology Developer Program criteria for interoperability with the Cisco VSAT NM for the Cisco 2800 and 3800 — series Integrated Services Routers and the Cisco 2600XM, 2691 and 3700 — series access routers. The program sets criteria for interoperability testing and provides enterprise or service provider customers with information regarding Cisco Technology Developer Partner products and services that the Cisco Technology Developer Partner believes meet the program’s criteria for interoperability with Cisco networking technology.

Separately, Valero Energy Corp., the largest refiner in North America, has chosen Cisco to provide a backup communications system that combines a Cisco integrated services router with the Cisco Internet Protocol (IP) VSAT network module to provide communications in the event of emergency or disaster. Valero has deployed Cisco 3845 Integrated Services Routers to carry voice and data between the company’s San Antonio, Texas, headquarters and its refineries.

Valero worked with Spacenet. The Cisco IP VSAT module is compatible with the Spacenet Connexstar broadband satellite service used by Valero, as well as other services using the Skyedge satellite hub.

“We’ve learned from events such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the importance of a fully integrated failover system,” Hal Zesch, vice president and chief information officer for Valero, said in a statement. “We chose Cisco 3845 Integrated Services Routers with the VSAT module to help enable us to maintain voice and data communications in case of a network disruption. Now our refinery routers can automatically route services during failover.”