Nomadic users :
mobility management
in next generation networks
ITU-T Workshop on NGN – July 9-10, 2003
Frédéric DELMOND
France Télécom R&D
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Contents
s
Introduction
s
Requirements to support nomadic users in NGN
s
Where the network can add value
s
Technical challenges for mobility management in NGN
s
Synergy with mobile networks
s
Conclusions
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Introduction
Video on
demand
Service
Providers
Multimédia
Calls (VoIP)
Contents on
the Web
Q Nomadic: No active service
ISP
PSTN
IP
Backbone
xDSL
Which users ?
(dial-up),
session while on the move
Q Mobile: service sessions can
be kept active while moving
(hand-overs)
etc.
2G/3G
Mobile networks
What do they expect ?
Q consistent service
WLAN
presentation and execution,
whatever the access network
point
Home
Public environment
Q enhanced services, aware of
Hotspots
the current user environment
in public places
(e.g. location, bit rate)
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Global requirements to support nomadic
users
s
An extensive range of access networks and terminals
– users are already proposed xDSL, WLAN, 3G mobile, etc. in
addition to narrow-band access
– users already have PCs, laptops, PDA, handsets, etc.
 Nomadism should be supported across
heterogeneous
environments
s
Global users in the network & in the services
– enable a single user to be recognised across various access
types
– enable a consistent service experience when users move
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Minimum requirements to support nomadic users
Who ?  user identification + authentication
 Identify the user separatly from the access
Where ?  user location management
 Retrieve where the user is located, over which
access he’s connected
2G/3G mobile
access
WLAN
Hotspots
in public places
PSTN
(dial-up)
xDSL
France Telecom R&D
Home
Hand-overs
Video on
demand
ISP
Multimédia
Calls (VoIP)
Contents on
the Web
User ID
& Authentic.
Access
Control
Services
User
location
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User
of this document is subject to France Telecom authorization
OK ? User access Diffusion
control
ITU-T Workshop on NGN – July 9-10, 2003 - D5
Subscription
 Allowed / banned access
Additional requirements to support nomadic users
s
Enhanced services for nomadic users
Q Virtual Home Environment concept :
– users should experience consistent service execution
– services should be adapted to the current user situation in real-time
Q VHE enablers:
– know more about the user environment
xDSL
– Access network + Terminal capabilities
– know more about the user preferences
– General user preferences
– User configuration for the access service
– Presence and availability management
WLAN
access
network
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Where can the network add value ?
s
Where several services and applications require similar
components
Q Mutualisation of functions at the control layer
Q avoid redundant developments within applications and services
 Design generic functions at the network control layer
they should be re-usable for any type of services:
– Web-based, VoIP, streaming services, etc.
s
Examples are:
Q User Identification and authentication
Q User access control
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Where can the network add value ?
s
Where network operators have a distinctive advantage
QThey have a unique and detailed knowledge of their access network
– Network topology and access location
– Access capabilities in real-time
 Extract information available in the protocols within the
control or transfer plane
s
Examples are :
Q User location can be guaranteed by network operators
– geographic or network-based information
Q Information on user environment
– access networks and user subscription constraints
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Technical challenges for mobility
management in NGN
s
User Identification, Authentication and Authorization are
closely related
QBasic mandatory functions in mobility management
s
Technical issues:
QHow to provide a simple & secure interface to users ?
– SSO, enhanced authentication schemes
QHow to enable the operator to be a trusted 3d party ?
– interactions to be defined with services & applications
QAccess control:
– how does this function depend on the user ?
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Technical challenges for mobility
management in NGN
s
How to handle data related to user location and user
environment ?
QInformation needed for VHE and enhanced services
Q Ensure that protocols used in the signaling path conveys enough
information
– e.g. access identification, access type, terminal type, etc.
Q Provide a view of active access sessions in real-time
 allow services and application to retrieve user access data
– e.g. user location, max. bit rate available
 notify of user IP connectivity = “network presence”
– easier presence management at application level
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Technical challenges for mobility
management in NGN
s
A consistent and global approach for user profile is
needed
Q Services, applications and Mobility management functions
rely on user data
QUser profile is composed of
– “dynamic data”
– values change as users move
– e.g. user location, bitrate available, user presence, etc.
– “static data”
– values does not change as users move
– e.g. service subscription, user preferences, etc.
QHow to retrieve any user data in a simple manner ?
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Synergy with mobile networks ?
s
How to handle nomadism across fixed and mobile access ?
Q Example 1 :
– develop MM functions for fixed access …
… and mobile network are used as a simple access means.
 Users are handled by these MM functions whatever the access
Q Example 2 :
– develop MM functions for fixed access …
… users rely on mobile network MM when using a mobile access
 Develop specific coordination between mobile and fixed network
Q In any case, the realization of VHE requires that
– consistent interfaces with users and with services whatever the access,
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fixed or mobile
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Conclusions
s
Mobility management is a key feature in next generation
networks
Q A variety of access types & terminals are proposed to users in
NGNs.
Q Support of nomadic users
Q Enhanced services, adaptable to the current user environment
(VHE)
s
Standardisation activities for mobility management in NGN
Q ensure a “global user” approach, independent of a specific access
technology
Qdefine a reference architecture and network functions required to
support nomadic users
Qdefine required interfaces for these functions in the control layer
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– with the terminals, with the application layer, with
the
transfer
plane
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