This document discusses the benefits of using IPv6 in 3G core networks. It notes that IPv6 addresses the limitations of IPv4, such as limited address space and lack of built-in security and mobility support, which will be important for billions of mobile devices on 3G networks. While transition challenges exist due to existing IPv4 infrastructure, the document argues that 3G core networks should be designed using IPv6 from the start to future-proof the network architecture and simplify interoperability.

1. IPv6 In 3G Core Networks
John Loughney
Research Engineer / Project Manager
Nokia Research Center, Helsinki
1 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

2. Table of Contents
• Introduction
• 3G Architecture
• Some IPv6 benefits for 3G
• Drawbacks of IPv4
• Current 3G Network Architecture
• Conclusion
• Appendices
• Current 3GPP Architecture
2 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

3. Introduction
• 3G consists of several radio access technologies (WCDMA, EDGE, etc.)
attached to a common core network.
• IPv6 is an option in the current 3GPP specifications.
• Specifications for an IP-based 3G network are currently being
developed.
• Two levels of IP protocols in IP based 3G Networks.
• Transport level (Network layer transport)
• Application level (IP Telephony layer)
3 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

4. All-IP System Level Architecture
Application
servers
Service
SCP capability
HSS CAP OSA servers
Gr+ WIN
MAP+
Iu-PS
3G RAN SGSN
GGSN IPv6 TSGW PSTN
ISUP
RAS
All-IP Core MGW
RSGW
Legacy
WLAN, DSL, Cellular
cable... MAP
SIP IS-41
FW
H.248
CSCF
MGCF
MRF
Internet
CSCF Call State Control Function MRF Multimedia Resource Function
HSS Home Subscriber Server RAS Remote Access Server (DSLAM, head end…)
MGCF Media Gateway Control Function RSGW Roaming Signaling Gateway
MGW Media Gateway TSGW Transport Signaling Gate
4 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

5. IPv6 Benefits for 3G
• Protocol for bigger, better Internet.
• Address Space Problem
• There will be billions of mobile terminals when the first IP based 3G
networks are deployed.
• Since these terminals should have IP addresses, the address space
for IPv4 is not sufficient.
• The lack of IPv4 addresses will be first felt in Asia.
• Autoconfiguration
• IPv6 includes address autoconfiguration, which can help network
administrators in configuring the networks.
• Security and mobility built-in
• Global address facilitate end-to-end security.
• IPv6 includes packet encryption and source authentication.
• To support real-time traffic, IPv6 has a "Flow Label".
5 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

6. IPv4 Successes
• Behind huge success of Internet:
• “Everything” supports IPv4
• 3G network architecture is considered because synergy with
existing Internet
• …but
• Security issues are unsolved.
• IPv4 requires the use of NAT between operators and even within
large operators - which will be expensive and hard to manage.
• Global roaming will be quite difficult.
• IPv4 is running out of addresses.
• Transition to IPv6 will take place - 3G will be the driver.
6 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

7. IPv6 Deployment Problems
• Existing operator networks & hardware are based on IPv4.
• Extensions to legacy call control protocols may be required
by IPv6.
• Support for legacy IPv4 systems.
• Interworking with existing IPv4 networks.
• But, there are solutions for these problems, the trick is
picking the proper solutions for the correct situations.
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8. Deployment Scenarios (1/2)
• Operator deployment decision:
• Interoperability problems may exists, due to existing equipment,
operators may end up of selecting IPv4
• IPv4 and the IPv6 are not directly compatible, protocol interworking
/ conversion / tunneling is needed
• 3G networks are fully IPv6 based at deployment on both transport and
application level.
• The solution is future proof, backward compatible and
interoperability is assured.
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9. Deployment Scenarios (2/2)
IPv6
Device
IPv4 IPv6
Device
3G Core Network
IPv6 Network
6to4 3G Core Network
IPv4 Internet Router
Local servers
(e.g., DNS, DHCP)
Dual Stack
Router
Dual
Stack IPv6 Network
Host
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10. Conclusions
• 3G networks will be the ultimate driver for IPv6 deployment.
• The inter-working between the legacy IPv4 network and the 3G IPv6
network can be handled at the borders.
• 3G Core Networks should be IPv6 based right from the start:
• The transition period between the legacy IPv4 networks and the IPv6
networks will be considerably shorter.
• Less time, money and effort will be spent on fixing problems caused
by IPv4.
• IPv6 + 3G = the Mobile Information Society.
• China stands in an important position to help bring this about.
• Since the Y2K problem was solved, then it must be time to address IPv6.
10 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000

11. Further Reading
• Nokia 3G Page
• http://www.nokia.com/3g/index.html
• IETF IPng Working Group
• http://playground.sun.com/ipng
• Third Generation Partnership Project
• http://www.3gpp.org
• Third Generation Partnership Project (ANSI)
• http://www.3gpp2.org
• IPv6 Forum
• http://www.ipv6forum.com/
• Internet Engineering Task Force
• http://www.ietf.org
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12. Appendices
• 3GPP Release 1999 Protocol Stack
• 3GPP Release 1999 Architecture
• 3GPP Release 2000 Proposed All IP Architecture
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13. R99 Interfaces and Protocols
UMTS User Plane
Application
E.g., IP, E.g., IP,
PPP, PPP,
OSP OSP
Relay Relay
PDCP PDCP GTP-U GTP-U GTP-U GTP-U
RLC RLC UDP/IP UDP/IP UDP/IP UDP/IP
MAC MAC AAL5 AAL5 L2 L2
L1 L1 ATM ATM L1 L1
Uu Iu-PS Gn Gi
MS UTRAN 3G-SGSN 3G-GGSN
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14. Rel. 99 Reference Architecture
WCDMA air interface
MS = Mobile Station (MT+TE+USIM) UTRAN = UMTS Terrestrial Radio
Iub UE = User Equipment (= MS in ETSI) Access Network
BS = Base Station RNS = Radio Network System
UE Iu RNC = Radio Network Controller
(MS) BS
WMSC/ PLMNs, PSTN,
RNC GMSC ISDN, etc...
VLR
UE
BS
(MS) MAPe CAP CAP
RNS
Gs
HLR CAP SCP
Iur (optional)
MAPe
CAP
UE
BS
(MS)
3G-
RNC GGSN IP-network
SGSN
UE BS 3G-SGSN = 3G Serving GPRS Support Node
(MS) WMSC = Wideband MSC GGSN = Gateway GPRS Support Node
GMSC = Gateway MSC
RNS
SCP = Service Control Point (IN/CAMEL)
UTRAN
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15. Rel. 00 All-IP Reference Architecture
Alternative Legacy mobile
Applications & signaling
Access Services *) Network
Network
SCP Multimedia
CSCF IP Networks
R-SGW
Mh Mw
SGSN Ms
GGSN CAP Mm
Gn HSS *) Cx
Other PLMN CSCF
Gr Mg
Gp Gi Mr Gi
EIR
MRF
TE MT ERAN Gf MGCF T-SGW *)
Gc Gi
R Um Iu-ps'
SGSN GGSN Mc
Iu Gi
Gn
Iu 1 PSTN/
TE MT UTRAN MGW
MGW Legacy/External
R Uu Nb
Iu 2 Mc Mc
Iu 1 = Iucs (RTP, AAL2)
Nc
2
Iu = Iu (RANAP) MSC server GMSC server T-SGW *)
MAP
MAP Mh
Applications
& Services *) HSS *) R-SGW *)
*) those elements are duplicated for figure
Signalling Interface layout purpose only, they belong to the same
Signalling and Data Transfer Interface logical element in the reference model
15 © NOKIA 3g-ipv6.PPT/17-03-2000