An Overlay Network Architecture for MPLS-based, Micro-mobility with Label Stack Support

This paper proposes an overlay network architecture for MPLS-based micro-mobility. Micro-mobility protocols are designed for the environment where mobile hosts (MHs) change their point of attachment to the networks so frequently in a domain which is larger than a subnet. A gateway foreign agent (GFA) takes the responsibility for contacting the home agent (HA) on behalf of the MHs. To speed the performance of handoff latency and distribute the load of GFA, two level of hierarchical overlay network architecture is proposed in this paper. Pre-established label switching paths (LSPs) are adopted to implement this overlay network. There are two pre-established LSPs from GFA to each base station (BS) where the attachment of MHs is. We integrate the two LSPs with label stack support to keep data forwarding at MPLS layer. Main part of handoff latency, LSP setup latency, can be eliminated completely. Fast handoff can be achieved by sending location update information only. Extend simulations are performed to study the performance of handoff