MPLS Micro Mobility Management for Mobile Access Routers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network Mobility (NEMO) presents challenges due to the limitations of IP addressing and routing systems, particularly in scenarios where mobile access routers (MARs) require a permanent anchor point, leading to suboptimal routing and performance issues when managing mobility across different network domains.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a micro mobility management system within a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) domain using a 'homeless' NEMO mechanism, which separates node identification from location information, and employs MPLS features like Label Switched Paths (LSPs) and Inactive Network Layer Protocol (INLP) to optimize routing and mobility management for MARs moving between Access Routers (ARs).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent anchor point (Home Agent) is used to support mobility management in NEMO, then mobility management is enabled, but routing becomes suboptimal and performance deteriorates due to traffic tunneling through the anchor point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management supportVSAvoidrouting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mobility management function from the permanent Home Agent anchor point and distributes it to multiple Mobility Access Routers (MARs) within the MPLS domain. This eliminates the single-point bottleneck while maintaining mobility support, allowing end hosts to appear statically located from inside the NEMO while enabling direct routing paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the mobility management domain into multiple MPLS domains, each with its own MARs that can serve as mobility anchors. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single permanent Home Agent and enables localized mobility management, improving routing efficiency by allowing traffic to be routed directly between MARs without tunneling through a central anchor point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If IP addressing and routing systems are used for NEMO, then network connectivity is provided, but mobility management becomes complex and performance deteriorates due to the limitations of IP-based solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidmobility management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the IP-based mobility management mechanism with an MPLS-based mechanism. Instead of using IP tunneling and Home Agent protocols, the system uses MPLS Label Switched Paths (LSPs) and Inactive Network Layer Protocol (INLP) to manage mobility. This substitution simplifies mobility management while maintaining network connectivity, as MPLS provides more efficient routing and mobility support compared to traditional IP-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traffic is tunneled through the permanent Home Agent, then mobility management is maintained, but latency increases and network performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility managementVSAvoidrouting latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes inactive LSPs in advance for MARs before they become active. When a MAR moves or becomes active, the pre-established inactive LSP can be quickly activated without requiring new path setup, thereby reducing latency and eliminating the need for traffic to be tunneled through a permanent Home Agent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single permanent anchor point is used for NEMO, then mobility management is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates as MARs cannot efficiently operate in different network domains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management simplicityVSAvoidmulti-domain operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes each MAR within the MPLS domain capable of serving as a mobility anchor for end hosts, rather than relying on a single permanent Home Agent. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different network domains and scenarios, as any MAR can assume the anchor role, thereby improving both simplicity and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8995337B2Method and apparatus for managing the mobility of mobile networks

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

In response to a Mobile Access Router (MAR) initially attaching to a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) domain through a first Access Router (AR) in the domain, a Mobility Anchor Point (MAP) in the MPLS domain establishes a plurality of Label Switched Paths (LSPs) for the MAR. For example, the MAP establishes an active LSP to the MAR through the AR to which the MAR has initially attached, and further establishes an inactive LSP for the MAR to each of one or more other ARs in the MPLS domain. An inactive LSP established at a given AR for a given MAR is activated when/if that MAR attaches to the AR. Correspondingly, the present invention includes method and apparatus teachings related to the MAP, ARs and the MAR, as regards establishing inactive LSPs, activating inactive LSPs, and extending an activated LSP to the MAR.