Enhancing PMIPv6 for Better Handover Performance among Heterogeneous Wireless Networks in a Micromobility Domain

This paper analyzes the reduction of handover delay in a network-based localized mobility management framework assisted by IEEE 802.21 MIH services. It compares the handover signaling procedures with host-based localized MIPv6 (HMIPv6), with network-based localized MIPv6 (PMIPv6), and with PMIPv6 assisted by IEEE 802.21 to show how much handover delay reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, the paper proposes and gives an in-depth analysis of PMIPv6 optimized with a handover coordinator (HC), which is a network-based entity, to further improve handover performance in terms of handover delay and packet loss while maintaining minimal signaling overhead in the air interface among converged heterogeneous wireless networks. Simulation and analytical results show that indeed handover delay and packet loss are reduced

Mobility management across converged IP-based heterogeneous access networks

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 8/2/2010.In order to satisfy customer demand for a high performance “global” mobility service, network operators (ISPs, carriers, mobile operators, etc.) are facing the need to evolve to a converged “all-IP” centric heterogeneous access infrastructure. However, the integration of such heterogeneous access networks (e.g. 802.11, 802.16e, UMTS etc) brings major mobility issues. This thesis tackles issues plaguing existing mobility management solutions in converged IP-based heterogeneous networks. In order to do so, the thesis firstly proposes a cross-layer mechanism using the upcoming IEEE802.21 MIH services to make intelligent and optimized handovers. In this respect, FMIPv6 is integrated with the IEEE802.21 mechanism to provide seamless mobility during the overall handover process. The proposed solution is then applied in a simulated vehicular environment to optimize the NEMO handover process. It is shown through analysis and simulations of the signalling process that the overall expected handover (both L2 and L3) latency in FMIPv6 can be reduced by the proposed mechanism by 69%. Secondly, it is expected that the operator of a Next Generation Network will provide mobility as a service that will generate significant revenues. As a result, dynamic service bootstrapping and authorization mechanisms must be in place to efficiently deploy a mobility service (without static provisioning), which will allow only legitimate users to access the service. A GNU Linux based test-bed has been implemented to demonstrate this. The experiments presented show the handover performance of the secured FMIPv6 over the implemented test-bed compared to plain FMIPv6 and MIPv6 by providing quantitative measurements and results on the quality of experience perceived by the users of IPv6 multimedia applications. The results show the inclusion of the additional signalling of the proposed architecture for the purpose of authorization and bootstrapping (i.e. key distribution using HOKEY) has no adverse effect on the overall handover process. Also, using a formal security analysis tool, it is shown that the proposed mechanism is safe/secure from the induced security threats. Lastly, a novel IEEE802.21 assisted EAP based re-authentication scheme over a service authorization and bootstrapping framework is presented. AAA based authentication mechanisms like EAP incur signalling overheads due to large RTTs. As a result, overall handover latency also increases. Therefore, a fast re-authentication scheme is presented which utilizes IEEE802.21 MIH services to minimize the EAP authentication process delays and as a result reduce the overall handover latency. Analysis of the signalling process based on analytical results shows that the overall handover latency for mobility protocols will be approximately reduced by 70% by the proposed scheme

A network-based coordination design for seamless handover between heterogeneous wireless networks

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-144).The rapid growth of mobile and wireless communication over the last few years has spawned many different wireless networks. These heterogeneous wireless networks are envisioned to interwork over an IP-based infrastructure to realize ubiquitous network service provisioning for mobile users. Moreover, the availability of multiple-interface mobile nodes (MNs) will make it possible to communicate through any of these wireless access networks. This wireless network heterogeneity combined with the availability of multiple-interface MNs creates an environment where handovers between the different wireless access technologies become topical during mobility events. Therefore, operators with multiple interworking heterogeneous wireless networks will need to facilitate seamless vertical handovers among their multiple systems. Seamless vertical handovers ensure ubiquitous continuity to active connections hence satisfy the quality of experience of the mobile users

Mobility management across converged IP-based heterogeneous access networks

In order to satisfy customer demand for a high performance “global” mobility service, network operators (ISPs, carriers, mobile operators, etc.) are facing the need to evolve to a converged “all-IP” centric heterogeneous access infrastructure. However, the integration of such heterogeneous access networks (e.g. 802.11, 802.16e, UMTS etc) brings major mobility issues. This thesis tackles issues plaguing existing mobility management solutions in converged IP-based heterogeneous networks. In order to do so, the thesis firstly proposes a cross-layer mechanism using the upcoming IEEE802.21 MIH services to make intelligent and optimized handovers. In this respect, FMIPv6 is integrated with the IEEE802.21 mechanism to provide seamless mobility during the overall handover process. The proposed solution is then applied in a simulated vehicular environment to optimize the NEMO handover process. It is shown through analysis and simulations of the signalling process that the overall expected handover (both L2 and L3) latency in FMIPv6 can be reduced by the proposed mechanism by 69%. Secondly, it is expected that the operator of a Next Generation Network will provide mobility as a service that will generate significant revenues. As a result, dynamic service bootstrapping and authorization mechanisms must be in place to efficiently deploy a mobility service (without static provisioning), which will allow only legitimate users to access the service. A GNU Linux based test-bed has been implemented to demonstrate this. The experiments presented show the handover performance of the secured FMIPv6 over the implemented test-bed compared to plain FMIPv6 and MIPv6 by providing quantitative measurements and results on the quality of experience perceived by the users of IPv6 multimedia applications. The results show the inclusion of the additional signalling of the proposed architecture for the purpose of authorization and bootstrapping (i.e. key distribution using HOKEY) has no adverse effect on the overall handover process. Also, using a formal security analysis tool, it is shown that the proposed mechanism is safe/secure from the induced security threats. Lastly, a novel IEEE802.21 assisted EAP based re-authentication scheme over a service authorization and bootstrapping framework is presented. AAA based authentication mechanisms like EAP incur signalling overheads due to large RTTs. As a result, overall handover latency also increases. Therefore, a fast re-authentication scheme is presented which utilizes IEEE802.21 MIH services to minimize the EAP authentication process delays and as a result reduce the overall handover latency. Analysis of the signalling process based on analytical results shows that the overall handover latency for mobility protocols will be approximately reduced by 70% by the proposed scheme.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Mobility management across converged IP-based heterogeneous access networks

In order to satisfy customer demand for a high performance “global” mobility service, network operators (ISPs, carriers, mobile operators, etc.) are facing the need to evolve to a converged “all-IP” centric heterogeneous access infrastructure. However, the integration of such heterogeneous access networks (e.g. 802.11, 802.16e, UMTS etc) brings major mobility issues. This thesis tackles issues plaguing existing mobility management solutions in converged IP-based heterogeneous networks. In order to do so, the thesis firstly proposes a cross-layer mechanism using the upcoming IEEE802.21 MIH services to make intelligent and optimized handovers. In this respect, FMIPv6 is integrated with the IEEE802.21 mechanism to provide seamless mobility during the overall handover process. The proposed solution is then applied in a simulated vehicular environment to optimize the NEMO handover process. It is shown through analysis and simulations of the signalling process that the overall expected handover (both L2 and L3) latency in FMIPv6 can be reduced by the proposed mechanism by 69%. Secondly, it is expected that the operator of a Next Generation Network will provide mobility as a service that will generate significant revenues. As a result, dynamic service bootstrapping and authorization mechanisms must be in place to efficiently deploy a mobility service (without static provisioning), which will allow only legitimate users to access the service. A GNU Linux based test-bed has been implemented to demonstrate this. The experiments presented show the handover performance of the secured FMIPv6 over the implemented test-bed compared to plain FMIPv6 and MIPv6 by providing quantitative measurements and results on the quality of experience perceived by the users of IPv6 multimedia applications. The results show the inclusion of the additional signalling of the proposed architecture for the purpose of authorization and bootstrapping (i.e. key distribution using HOKEY) has no adverse effect on the overall handover process. Also, using a formal security analysis tool, it is shown that the proposed mechanism is safe/secure from the induced security threats. Lastly, a novel IEEE802.21 assisted EAP based re-authentication scheme over a service authorization and bootstrapping framework is presented. AAA based authentication mechanisms like EAP incur signalling overheads due to large RTTs. As a result, overall handover latency also increases. Therefore, a fast re-authentication scheme is presented which utilizes IEEE802.21 MIH services to minimize the EAP authentication process delays and as a result reduce the overall handover latency. Analysis of the signalling process based on analytical results shows that the overall handover latency for mobility protocols will be approximately reduced by 70% by the proposed scheme.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

IEEE 802.21 in heterogeneous handover environments

Mestrado em Engenharia de Computadores e TelemáticaO desenvolvimento das capacidades tecnológicas dos terminais móveis, e das infra-estruturas que os suportam, potenciam novos cenários onde estes dispositivos munidos com interfaces de diferentes tecnologias vagueiam entre diferentes ambientes de conectividade. É assim necessário providenciar meios que facilitem a gestão de mobilidade, permitindo ao terminal ligar-se da melhor forma (i.e., optando pela melhor tecnologia) em qualquer altura. A norma IEEE 802.21 está a ser desenvolvida pelo Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) com o intuito de providenciar mecanismos e serviços que facilitem e optimizem handovers de forma independente da tecnologia. A norma 802.21 especifica assim um conjunto de mecanismos que potenciarão cenários como o descrito acima, tendo em conta a motivação e requerimentos apresentados por arquitecturas de redes futuras, como as redes de quarta geração (4G). Esta dissertação apresenta uma análise extensiva da norma IEEE 802.21, introduzindo um conjunto de simulações desenvolvidas para estudar o impacto da utilização de mecanismos 802.21 em handovers controlados por rede, numa rede de acesso mista composta por tecnologias 802.11 e 3G. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar a aplicabilidade destes conceitos a ambientes de próxima geração, motivando também uma descrição do desenho de integração de mecanismos 802.21 a arquitecturas de redes de quarta geração. ABSTRACT: The development of the technological capabilities of mobile terminals, and the infra-structures that support them, enable new scenarios where these devices using different technology interfaces roam in different connectivity environments. This creates a need for providing the means that facilitate mobility management, allowing the terminal to connect in the best way possible (i.e., by choosing the best technology) at any time. The IEEE 802.21 standard is being developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to provide mechanisms and services supporting Media Independent Handovers. The 802.21 standard specifies a set of mechanisms that enable scenarios like the one described above, considering the motivation and requirements presented by future network architectures, such as the ones from fourth generation networks (4G). This thesis presents an extensive analysis of the IEEE 802.21 standard, introducing a set of simulations developed for studying the impact of using 802.21 mechanisms in network controlled handovers, in a mixed access network composed of 802.11 and 3G technologies. The obtained results allow the verification of the applicability of these concepts into next generation environments, also motivating the description of the design for integration of 802.21 mechanisms to fourth generation networks

Distributed mobility management for a flat architecture in 5G mobile networks: solutions, analysis and experimental validation

In the last years, the commercial deployment of data services in mobile networks has been evolving quickly, providing enhanced radio access technologies and more efficient network architectures. Nowadays, mobile users enjoy broadband and ubiquitous wireless access through their portable devices, like smartphones and tablets, exploiting the connectivity offered by the modern 4G network. Nevertheless, the technological evolution keeps moving towards the development of next generation networks, or 5G, aiming at further improving the current system in order to cope with the huge data traffic growth foreseen in the future years. One of the possible research guidelines aims at innovating the mobile networks architecture by designing a flat system. Indeed, current systems are built upon a centralized and hierarchical structure, where multiple access networks are connected to a central core hosting crucial network functions, e.g., charging, control and maintenance, as well as mobility management, which is the main topic of this thesis. In such a central mobility management system, users’ traffic is aggregated at some key nodes in the core, called mobility anchors. Thus, an anchor can easily handle user’s mobility by redirecting traffic flows to his/her location, but i) it poses scalability issues, ii) it represents a single point of failure, and iii) the routing path is in general suboptimal. These problems can be overcome moving to a flat architecture, adopting a Distributed Mobility Management (DMM) system, where the centralized anchor is removed. This thesis develops within the DMM framework, presenting the design, analysis, implementation and experimental validation of several DMM protocols. In this work we describe original protocols for client-based and network-based mobility management, as well as a hybrid solution. We study analytically our solutions to evaluate their signaling cost, the packet delivery cost, and the latency introduced to handle a handover event. Finally, we assess the validity of some of our protocols with experiments run over a network prototype built in our lab implementing such solutions.El despliegue comercial de los servicios de datos en las redes móviles ha evolucionado rápidamente en los últimos años, proporcionando tecnologías de acceso radio más avanzadas y arquitecturas de red más eficientes. Los usuarios ya pueden disfrutar de los servicios de banda ancha desde sus dispositivos móviles, como smartphones y tablets, aprovechando la conectividad de las modernas redes 4G. Sin embargo, la evolución tecnológica sigue trazando su camino hasta el desarrollo de las redes de próxima generación, o 5G, en previsión del enorme aumento del tráfico de los años futuros. Una de las innovaciones bajo estudio aborda la arquitectura de las redes móviles, con el objetivo de diseñar un sistema plano. Efectivamente, el sistema actual se basa en una estructura centralizada y jerárquica, en la cual múltiples redes de acceso se conectan al núcleo central, dónde residen funciones cruciales para el control de la red y facturación, así como la gestión de la movilidad, que es el tema central de esta tesis. En un sistema con gestión centralizada de la movilidad, se agregan los flujos de tráfico en algunos nodos claves situados en el núcleo de la red, llamados anclas de movilidad. De este modo, un ancla puede fácilmente redirigir los flujos al lugar donde se halla el usuario, pero i) supone problemas de escalabilidad, ii) representa un punto único de fallo, y iii) el encaminamiento es en general sub-óptimo. Estos problemas se pueden resolver pasando a una arquitectura plana, cambiándose a un sistema de gestión distribuida de la movilidad (Distributed Mobility Management – DMM), donde no hay anclas centralizadas. Esta tesis se desarrolla dentro el marco propuesto por DMM, presentando el diseño, el análisis, la implementación y la validación experimental de varios protocolos de movilidad distribuida. Se describen soluciones basadas en el cliente y en la red, así como una solución híbrida. El funcionamiento de las soluciones ha sido estudiado analíticamente, para evaluar los costes de señalización, el coste del transporte de los paquetes y la latencia para gestionar el traspaso de los usuarios de una red a otra. Finalmente, la validez de los protocolos ha sido demostrada con experimentos sobre un prototipo donde se implementan algunas de las soluciones utilizando el equipamiento de nuestro laboratorio.Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Ingeniería TelemáticaPresidente: Arturo Azcorra Saloña.- Secretario: Ramón Agüero Calvo.- Vocal: Jouni Korhone

Securing Handover in Wireless IP Networks

In wireless and mobile networks, handover is a complex process that involves multiple layers of protocol and security executions. With the growing popularity of real time communication services such as Voice of IP, a great challenge faced by handover nowadays comes from the impact of security implementations that can cause performance degradation especially for mobile devices with limited resources. Given the existing networks with heterogeneous wireless access technologies, one essential research question that needs be addressed is how to achieve a balance between security and performance during the handover. The variations of security policy and agreement among different services and network vendors make the topic challenging even more, due to the involvement of commercial and social factors. In order to understand the problems and challenges in this field, we study the properties of handover as well as state of the art security schemes to assist handover in wireless IP networks. Based on our analysis, we define a two-phase model to identify the key procedures of handover security in wireless and mobile networks. Through the model we analyze the performance impact from existing security schemes in terms of handover completion time, throughput, and Quality of Services (QoS). As our endeavor of seeking a balance between handover security and performance, we propose the local administrative domain as a security enhanced localized domain to promote the handover performance. To evaluate the performance improvement in local administrative domain, we implement the security protocols adopted by our proposal in the ns-2 simulation environment and analyze the measurement results based on our simulation test

Enhanced bicasting and buffering

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references

Distribuição de vídeo para grupos de utilizadores em redes móveis heterogéneas19

The evolutions veri ed in mobile devices capabilities (storage capacity, screen resolution, processor, etc.) over the last years led to a signi cant change in mobile user behavior, with the consumption and creation of multimedia content becoming more common, in particular video tra c. Consequently, mobile operator networks, despite being the target of architectural evolutions and improvements over several parameters (such as capacity, transmission and reception performance, amongst others), also increasingly become more frequently challenged by performance aspects associated to the nature of video tra c, whether by the demanding requirements associated to that service, or by its volume increase in such networks. This Thesis proposes modi cations to the mobile architecture towards a more e cient video broadcasting, de ning and developing mechanisms applicable to the network, or to the mobile terminal. Particularly, heterogeneous networks multicast IP mobility supported scenarios are focused, emphasizing their application over di erent access technologies. The suggested changes are applicable to mobile or static user scenarios, whether it performs the role of receiver or source of the video tra c. Similarly, the de ned mechanisms propose solutions targeting operators with di erent video broadcasting goals, or whose networks have di erent characteristics. The pursued methodology combined an experimental evaluation executed over physical testbeds, with the mathematical evaluation using network simulation, allowing the veri cation of its impact on the optimization of video reception in mobile terminalsA evolução veri cada nas características dos dispositivos moveis (capacidade de armazenamento, resolução do ecrã, processador, etc.) durante os últimos anos levou a uma alteração signi cativa nos comportamentos dos utilizadores, sendo agora comum o consumo e produção de conteúdos multimédia envolvendo terminais móveis, em particular o tráfego vídeo. Consequentemente, as redes de operador móvel, embora tendo também sido alvo constante de evoluções arquitecturais e melhorias em vários parâmetros (tais como capacidade, ritmo de transmissão/recepção, entre outros), vêemse cada vez mais frequentemente desa adas por aspectos de desempenho associados à natureza do tráfego de vídeo, seja pela exigência de requisitos associados a esse serviço, quer pelo aumento do volume do mesmo nesse tipo de redes. Esta Tese propôe alterações à arquitetura móvel para a disseminação de vídeo mais e ciente, de nindo e desenvolvendo mecanismos aplicáveis à rede, ou ao utilizador móvel. Em particular, são focados cenários suportados por IP multicast em redes móveis heterogéneas, isto é, com ênfase na aplicação destes mecanismos sobre diferentes tecnologias de acesso. As alterações sugeridas aplicam-se a cenários de utilizador estático ou móvel, sendo este a fonte ou receptor do tráfego vídeo. Da mesma forma, são propostas soluções tendo em vista operadores com diferentes objectivos de disseminação de vídeo, ou cujas redes têm diferentes características. A metodologia utilizada combinou a avaliação experimental em testbeds físicas com a avaliação matemática em simulações de redes, e permitiu veri car o impacto sobre a optimização da recepção de vídeo em terminais móveisPrograma Doutoral em Telecomunicaçõe