TCP/IP in the Mobile World
The TCP/IP in the Mobile World course describes the TCP/IP architecture and IP-based networks (e.g. Internet), with particular focus on their use in mobile networks. The course describes IP transport used in the access networks (UMA/GAN and eUTRAN) as well as in the core network (split architecture, IMS and EPC). An overview is provided about protocols and mechanisms used in a TCP/IP network, such as DNS, DHCP and RADIUS. The course outlines different aspect of VoIP and multimedia over IP services, with a focus on SIP-based solutions.
Network Overview
• General mobile networks architecture
• Introduction the two major parts of wireless networks: access and core network and their respective functions
• Comparison of PS and CS networks as an explanation of the current trend to switch over to IP-based solutions
Internet Protocol, IP
• IP address structure for IPv4 and IPv6
• IP routing principles and routing tables
• Comparison of IPv4 and IPv6 functionalities
Transport Protocols: TCP, SCTP and UDP
• Functions of transport protocols and usage of port numbers
• Client-server model
• UDP, TCP and SCTP protocols – comparison of their functionalities
Applications
• Functionalities of IP-based applications for remote access handling: DHCP, RADIUS, DNS, NAT
• Services provided by Internet Service Providers with a focus on which of these the mobile operators need to support in their networks
• IP-based application providing user services: email, web browsing, ftp, VoIP, multimedia
Multimedia over IP
• Network architectures to provide real-time multimedia services (including VoIP)
• SIP, SDP, RTP and RTCP protocols – functions and usage that enable end-to-end multimedia sessions
• Interworking between SIP-based networks and the PSTN/ISDN networks
IP in GPRS/UMTS
• Remote access and login procedures for mobile users: PDP Context Activation traffic case
• Modifications of existing IP protocols to adapt to mobile-access users: http*, TCP*
Quality of Service
• Definition of QoS in the context of IP-based networks with mobile access
• QoS provisioning using Intserv, Diffserv and MPLS methods
Network Security
• Security requirements faced by modern telecom networks
• Overview of security algorithms and keys providing encryption and electronic signatures
• IPsec as a method to ensure security for IP networks, with presentation of IPsec elements: Security Association, IKE protocol, Certification Authority
IP transport in wireless-access networks
• Main characteristics and benefits of IP-based access technologies: UTRAN, eUTRAN (LTE), UMA (GAN)
• Evolution and its benefits for IP-based core network technologies: classic GPRS backbone, split architecture, EPC (SAE)
• IMS as an IP-based control plane for service access
