Mobility Management pertains to the set of technologies and processes designed to manage mobile devices, wireless networks, and other mobile computing services in a corporate environment. Within the context of cellular networks, mobility management is primarily concerned with maintaining and establishing the location of user equipment. Here are the primary components of Mobility Management:
Location Management: Keeps track of a mobile user’s point of attachment to the network.
- Location Registration: Whenever a mobile device enters a new service area, it registers its location with the network.
- Location Update: The device updates the network about its current location when moving from one area to another.
- Paging: When the network wishes to establish a connection with a mobile device, it sends a paging message to locate the device.
Handover Management: Ensures that ongoing calls or data sessions remain uninterrupted when a mobile device moves from one cell or area to another.
- Soft Handover: The device remains connected to the old cell while establishing a connection with the new cell.
- Hard Handover: The connection to the old cell is released before or as the connection to the new cell is established.
Roaming: Allows users to make and receive calls, send and receive data, or access other services when traveling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network by using a visited network.
Mobile IP Management: Deals with ensuring that mobile devices retain their IP addresses across different networks, facilitating continuous internet connectivity.
User Authentication: Validates a user’s credentials to ensure they’re allowed access to the network.
Service Management: Ensures that users get the services they are subscribed to when they are on the move.
Security Management: Addresses the security concerns that come with mobile connectivity, such as data protection, encryption, and threat mitigation.
QoS Management: Ensures that the required Quality of Service is maintained for mobile services, adapting to changing conditions in the network.
Traffic and Capacity Management: Balances network resources to handle mobile traffic effectively, ensuring that the network doesn’t become congested.
Fault Management: Identifies, rectifies, and logs any errors or issues in the mobility management process.
These components work together to ensure that users experience seamless service as they move within or between network areas. Mobility management plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of service, security, and user experience in mobile networks.