Introduction to Wireless IP
ByWireless IP obviously refers to using the Internet Protocol over a wireless connection. At one time, the term “wireless IP” referred to CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), a method for transmitting data packets across wireless cellular networks. Today, wireless IP refers to a variety of technologies, including the following:
· Wireless data protocols
· Mobile IP
· MANET (Mobile Ad Hoc Networking)
· WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
An IP-based wireless network, or wireless IP network, uses IP-based protocols to support one or more key aspects of network operations. These may include network-layer routing and transport of user packets, mobility management at the network or higher protocol layers, signalling and control of real-time voice and multimedia services, and support for network security and quality of service. An all-IP wireless network would use IP-based protocols to support all or most aspects of network operations at the network layer or above in the core networks or even in the radio access networks.
IP-based wireless networks offer a range of advantages over traditional circuit-switched wireless networks. For example, IP-based networks are more suitable for supporting the rapidly growing mobile data and multimedia applications.
IP-based wireless networks bring the globally successful Internet service creation and offering paradigm into wireless networks. This not only makes Internet services available to mobile users but also provides a proven successful platform for fostering future mobile services. Furthermore, IP-based protocols are independent of the underlying radio technologies and therefore are better suited for supporting services seamlessly over different radio technologies and for achieving global roaming.
Realizing IP-based wireless networks introduces many new technical challenges, especially in the areas of network architecture, signalling and control, mobility management, network security, and Quality of Services (QoS). These areas are therefore the focus.
Part of the thesis: Wireless IP, The Killer Application !?