Home // International Journal On Advances in Networks and Services, volume 2, number 2 and 3, 2009 // View article

The VERHO Mobility Management System for Heterogeneous Network Environments

Authors:
Tapio Väärämäki

Keywords: Multihoming, Wireless, Heterogeneous, Interface Selection, 802.21, Media Independent Handover

Abstract:
In this paper we present our solution for intelligent network interface selection and (vertical) handover control for heterogeneous multi-access environments. The 4th generation mobile communication system is seen here as a combination of several access technologies optimized for different purposes. A combination of these access technologies can constitute, with intelligent control, a 4G access with capabilities to support various application and user requirements and preferences. A policy based vertical handover controller system, called VERHO, utilizes input from several cross-layer sources, the Mobile IPv6 protocol and network interface selection to achieve both proactive and intelligent vertical handovers between a variety of access interfaces. Real-time link status information, access point scanning support, user profiles, policies and Multiple Attribute Decision Making algorithms provide flexibility in interface selection and result in an Always-Best-Connected access for the user. We present the VERHO architecture, discussing and showing the possible benefits of the system for the future.

Pages: 110 to 120

Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2009. Used with permission.

Publication date: December 1, 2009

Published in: journal

ISSN: 1942-2644