MOBILE IP
Mobile IP is a family of protocols covering both IPv4 and IPv6 that allow a mobile device to continue to be reachable at a single network address despite it roaming between unrelated networking contexts. For example, a SIP phone could establish a call whilst connected to an 802.11 WLAN, move out of range and reconnect to a 3G data network run by a different provider, and mobile IP support on both networks would ensure that the call session would not drop.
JANET(UK) instigated trial activities in this area to explore the basic functionality of the protocols, demonstrate their use across JANET, and to examine their potential to support roaming in a wireless context as network sizes increase.
A document introducing the concepts of Mobile IP is available: Mobile IP Overview.
Mobile IP Trial 2007-2009
JANET(UK) issued a Call for Participation in Autumn 2007 seeking proposals to take part in a programme of trial activities relating to mobile IP. The following organisations bid successfully against this call. We thank them for their dedication and effort in conducting the various aspects of this trial programme:
- University of Lancaster
- University of Loughborough
- Salford University
- University of Southampton
Results from these activtiies are now available.
Firstly, a LiveCD MIPv6 environment. This is intended to facilitate MIPv6 testing and activities throughout the community. The latest version is available for download from:
The MobileIPv6 LiveCD is a self-contained Linux distribution which boots from CD and is capable of acting either as a Home Agent or Mobile Node. The release takes the form of a bootable ISO image that contains Ubuntu 8.04 LTS release operating system preconfigured with MIPv6 and relevant testing applications.
Secondly, the various deliverable documents specified in the Call are now available as individual pdf documents. We plan to collate these as a single booklet detailing the subject.
Future Work
We are gathering information from the trial participants and other stakeholders regarding the requirement for further activity in this area. If you wish to provide feedback to this dsicussion, please contact mark.o'leary@ja.net.