Name resolving and routing in mobile networks

Abstract

The process of establishing communication across either a traditional telecommunications network or an IP network, irrespective of whether it is fixed or mobile, involves some form of name resolution. With the role of name resolution being to convert the names used by these networks (for example telephone numbers, domain names etc.) into routing information for use by the underlying network. However, because both types of network use fundamentally different networking principles, namely connection-oriented (GO) and connectionless (CL), respectively, they use name resolution in completely different ways. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast how telecommunications and IP networks currently use name resolution in both their fixed and mobile networks. This is then followed by a consideration of how new emergent mobility methods could impact name resolution in the future. Finally, it highlights key performance issues linked with the various approaches used for name resolution and uses the insights gained to identify a potential future approach for seamlessly supporting both fixed and mobile operation.