IP-based protocols in cellular networks and mobility management

IP-based protocols and mechanisms to support host mobility, throughout the Internet, are analysed. A mobile node is identified by its home address, regardless of its current point of attachment. When away from its home, the mobile node is associated with a care-of-address. This is the mechanism provided by Mobile IP. Mobile IP is well suited for macro-mobility, but it suffers delays when performing micro-mobility. Due to the shortcomings in Mobile IP, another mobility management protocol is proposed, called Micro-Mobile IP. It considers paging, which is not taken into account by Mobile IP, and the regional registration draft presented by the IETF. A signaling cost analysis is presented in order to justify, and prove, the enhancements needed in Mobile IP. Through simulations, the protocol´s weaknesses and possible improvements are shown.