Integrity protection in UMTS Radio Access Network - Simulation approach under OPNET

In previous simulation work [1,2], we were interested in the confidentiality feature in the UMTS Network Access, especially, in the study of its implementation in specific sub-layers and the simulation of its mechanism within a UTRAN network. In the present paper, a special interest is given to the integrity protection of signaling data transmitted between the RNC and the UE. Our current research aims to examine exactly where the integrity mechanism occurs in the protocol stack of an UMTS network. And then introduce this security feature in the OPNET Modeler which is used to give a simulation approach of the use of the UTRAN Integrity feature between RNC and UE. This paper is organized as follows. First, a brief description of the UMTS Integrity mechanism is given. Then, we will describe our simulation approach and we will focus on the changes made to mobile station and RNC node models in order to implement the Integrity feature in both sides.