Integrating MPLS and Policy Based Management Technologies in Mobile Environment

Hierarchical architecture for Mobile IP (MIP), including both global mobility and local (micro) mobility management is a solution proposed in order to increase the efficiency and response time for fast local handoff processing. Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a technology of choice to facilitate traffic engineering and internetworking. Policy-Based Management (PBM) is a powerful approach, allowing flexible and scalable solutions for management, originally for IP based fixed networks. Extending and integrating MPLS and PBM into mobile environments, including the multi-domain heterogeneous networks is an active area for research. This paper proposes a variant of such an architecture integrating the MPLS and PBM in mobile environment (WLAN, 3G) while taking into account also micro/macro-mobility management and Quality of Service (QoS) control aspects.