Case Study – Hawk Systems
Starlink Business Internet
About the client
Hawk Systems Ltd is an Essex-based electrical and technology solutions provider, delivering electrical contracting, network infrastructure, security, fibre, AV and datacentre solutions to commercial, industrial and public sector organisations across London and the South East.
Based in an area with limited connectivity, the business had been relying on two 4G connections from different providers for its main internet and backup. As more services moved to the cloud and demand grew, Hawk Systems needed faster, more reliable business internet that would keep it running, whatever the challenges of its location.
The challenge
Hawk Systems had invested in a new Starlink Gen3 Performance antenna to improve its internet connectivity. While Starlink offered significantly higher speeds than the existing 4G connections, several technical requirements had to be addressed before it could be used in the production environment.
The key challenges included:
Delivering a reliable internet connection in a location where traditional connectivity options were limited.
Providing a static public IP address for external services and remote access requirements.
Ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in the event of a service outage.
Integrating new technology with existing infrastructure.
Maintaining business continuity through automated failover capabilities.
Sprint Integration’s solution
Sprint Integration worked closely with Hawk Systems to design and deploy a resilient connectivity platform, combining multiple technologies for both performance and redundancy. Adding Starlink also diversified their connections, as the primary and backup links would now use different technologies.
1
Starlink installation and commissioning
The project began with the installation of the Starlink Gen3 Performance antenna. Hawk Systems designed and fabricated a bespoke mounting bracket, ensuring a secure and professional installation capable of delivering optimal performance.
Sprint Integration then assisted with:
- Antenna alignment and commissioning.
- Initial obstruction analysis and performance testing.
- Deployment and configuration of network infrastructure.
- Integration of Starlink into the existing network environment.
2
Solving the Starlink static IP challenge
One of the main technical hurdles was the need for a static public IP address.
While Starlink provides excellent connectivity, it does not currently offer a traditional static public IP address in the way many businesses need. To overcome this, Sprint Integration deployed a specialist router configured with a WireGuard VPN tunnel.
This approach enabled external services to communicate through a dedicated static public IP address while still benefiting from Starlink’s high-speed satellite connectivity.
3
Fixing Starlink DHCP lease issues
As with many networking projects, several unexpected technical challenges arose during implementation.
A notable issue involved the short DHCP lease duration provided by the Starlink Advanced Power Supply. This behaviour created instability for downstream networking equipment and required detailed investigation and troubleshooting.
By analysing the network behaviour and adjusting the configuration accordingly, Sprint Integration was able to ensure a stable and reliable deployment without impacting service availability.
4
Building a dual-WAN platform with SD-WAN failover
Rather than retiring both existing connections, Sprint Integration repurposed one of Hawk Systems’ 4G broadband connections, which already included a public IP allocation.
To maximise resilience, the team implemented:
- Starlink Gen3 Performance as the primary internet connection.
- 4G+ broadband as the secondary backup service.
- WatchGuard SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing and failover.
- WireGuard VPN to provide static IP functionality.
The WatchGuard firewall continuously monitors both WAN connections and automatically selects the most suitable route for traffic.
If the Starlink service experiences an outage, traffic is automatically redirected to the 4G+ backup connection, with no user intervention needed. 4G+ was chosen over 5G because of the site’s distance from the provider’s mast.
This design significantly reduces the risk of downtime and supports business continuity.
Results
The completed solution delivered immediate benefits to Hawk Systems:
Improved performance
- Average download speeds increased to approximately 110 Mbps.
- Faster access to cloud services and online applications.
- Improved user experience across the business.
Increased resilience
- Dual connectivity paths reduce dependency on a single internet service.
- Automatic SD-WAN failover ensures continuity during connectivity issues.
- Reduced risk of operational disruption.
Future-proof design
- Infrastructure designed to accommodate future growth.
- Ready for a planned upgrade to a Teltonika RUT361 4G+ (Category 6) router.
- Enhanced resilience through carrier aggregation and improved mobile broadband performance.
Business benefits
By combining Starlink, WireGuard VPN, WatchGuard SD-WAN and 4G+ mobile broadband failover, Hawk Systems gained:
Faster internet connectivity
Improved business continuity
Static public IP functionality
Automated failover protection
Better resilience against outages
A scalable platform for future expansion
Need reliable business connectivity?
Whether you’re in a hard-to-reach location or need a backup connection you can rely on, our team can design a solution around your business. We provide managed IT support across Essex, London and the South East.
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