GPRS Architecture: Interfaces and Protocols

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Network elements
GPRS provides mobile users worldwide access to Value-added WAP services and Different external packet networks (e.g. Internet or intranets)

GSM-BSS provides the radio interface

External Packet Networks

BSS

GPRS Core Network

Value-Added Services (WAP)

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Requirements of GPRS network

Use existing GSM infrastructure with little modifications to it GPRS should support one or more packet switched connections referred to as PDP context activations Support different Quality of Service (QoS) user subscriptions Compatible with 3G and 4G systems Support both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint data connections It should provide secure access to external networks

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GPRS network: Logical network elements

BTS BSC

NMS

Billing SGSN Centre GGSN

NMS BG CG FW LIG

SGSN CG GPRS Backbone BG LIG GGSN GGSN

= Serving GPRS Support Node = Gateway GPRS Support Node = Network Management System = Border Gateway = Charging Gateway = Firewall = Lawful Interception Gateway

FW
Internet
Corporate Router Server LAN Operator Services LAN

Intranet

FW
Inter-PLMN Network

GGSN

DNS

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What are the functions of SGSN?

The SGSN is the MSC of the GPRS network At least one SGSN per GPRS network SGSN has the following functions: Protocol conversion between IP backbone and BSS protocols Authentication of GPRS users Mobility management of GPRS enabled MS Routing of data to the relevant GGSN Interaction with the NSS (MSC/VLR, HLR, EIR) via SS7 network Collection of charging data records pertaining to GPRS calls Collection of traffic statistics

What are the functions of GGSN?

GGSN acts as a router to the external network GGSN has the following functions: Routes mobile-destined packets coming from external networks to the relevant SGSN Routes packets originating from a mobile to the correct external network Interfaces to external IP networks Collects charging data and traffic statistics Allocates dynamic or static IP addresses to mobiles either by

itself or with the help of a DHCP or a RADIUS server

How is GPRS seen by an external network?

External point of view, GGSN is a router to an IP network When the GGSN receives data addressed to a user in the mobile network, it first checks if the address is active If it is, GGSN forwards the data to the SGSN serving the mobile If the address is inactive, the data is discarded
GPRS subnetwork 155.222.33.xxx Internet Router Host 155.222.33.55 Router LAN Corporate subnetwork 131.44.15.xxx

Host 131.44.15.3

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DNS
Converts IP names into IP addresses for example, server.nokia.com to 133.44.15.5

Every GPRS network must have one

Why? Discussed in detail in IPGPRS DNS Module

Firewall
Protects the IP network against external attack (for example, hackers from the mobile users or from the Internet) Firewall might be configured to reject all packets that are not part of a GPRS subscriber initiated connection Advantage of dynamic addressing Can also include NAT or NAPT

Border Gateway (BG)

Necessary to interconnect operators' GPRS backbone networks to support roaming Provides a direct tunnel between different operators' GPRS networks (rather than transferring via the public Internet) Roaming is not supported in GPRS Release 1

Charging Gateway (CG)

GPRS charging data records (CDR) are generated by SGSNs and GGSNs in the network SGSN and GGSN transfer CDR using GTP (GTP Prime)

The Charging Gateway collects all this data together processes it passes it on to the Billing System

GPRS interfaces
MSC/ VLR HLR EIR SMSGMSC
Signalling and data
Signalling

Gs
SGSN BSC

Gr

Gf

Gd Ga

CG

Ga Gi
External packet network

GGSN

Gb

Gn

Air (Um)

Gn

BG

Gp

Inter-PLMN GPRS backbone

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Container

SGSN

GGSN

The stream of containers forming a tunnel.

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Tunnelling
IP (+TCP/UDP) GSN IPaddress

THE GTP PACKET Tunnel ID: IMSI

User packet

E.g. a TCP/IP packet carrying e-mail Who is the user? To which GSN?

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Tunnelling
IP
user data using 'public' IP addresses

IP GTP IP

GTP IP

Tunnel

backbone data using private IP addresses

MS

SGSN

GGSN

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GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP)

BTS BSC SGSN

GTP tunnel between SGSN and GGSN Carrying signalling and user traffic Hiding backbone from Internet and the MSs Mobility management Tunnel Identifier TID= IMSI + NSAPI

BTS

BSC SGSN Gn GPRS Backbone IP Network GGSN FW Internet Gi

USER PAYLOAD GTP UDP IP

APP TCP/UDP IP L2 L1

L2 L1

Gn Backbone

Gi Internet

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GGSN functionalities
HLR BTS BSC SS7 SGSN MSC/ VLR

GPRS Core Network

GGSN

Internet

Server Application Layer

USER PAYLOAD GTP UDP IP

Tunnelled payload GPRS tunnel

APP TCP/UDP IP L2

Transport layer
Network layer Public Data Network Layers 1 & 2

L1

GPRS Backbone Layers 1 & 2

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L2 L1

Transport layer Network layer

Key points
The Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN): acts as the interface between the GPRS network and external networks collects charging data and traffic statistics can allocate IP addresses for users routes packets coming from external networks towards the correct SGSN and vice versa Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN): converts protocols used in the IP backbone to protocols used in the BSS and the MS takes care of authentication and mobility management routes data to the relevant GGSN when connection to an external network is required collects charging data and traffic statistics
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Key points
The most important open interfaces in the GPRS network are: Gb - SGSN to BSS Gn - between GSNs (GTP) Gr - between SGSN and HLR (MAP) Gs - SGSN to MSC (BSSAP+) Gi - GGSN to external data networks Gf - SGSN and the EIR (MAP) Gd - SGSN and the GMSC (SMSC) Gp - between GSNs of different PLMNs The user packets are transported encapsulated using the GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) over the GPRS backbone. The backbone is an IP network.

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GPRS Tunnelling Protocol principle

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GTP header added to user data

user IP Data

GTP Layer

GTP Header

User Data Payload (T-PDU) (user IP Data)

UDP Layer

UDP Header

GTP Header

User Data Payload (T-PDU) (user IP Datagram)

Backbone IP Layer

GPRS Backbone IP Header

UDP Header

GTP Header

User Data Payload (T-PDU) (user IP Datagram)

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GPRS Traffic Management

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What sort of procedures are needed?

MS switches on for the first time. MS indicates that it is switched on and ready (GPRS attach). MS indicates that it is switched off (GPRS detach). MS indicates that it wants to transmit data (PDP context activation). MS indicates stop data transmission (PDP context deactivation). MS moves from one part to another of a service area (Cell update and RA update procedure). MS may roam into another networks service area (Roaming). etc.

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What is traffic management?

Traffic management procedures are subdivided into two areas: 1. Mobility management Procedures that take care of the mobility of the user such as the GPRS attach are called GPRS Mobility Management (GMM). The GMM procedures are similar to the mobility management for circuit switched users. Examples: GPRS attach, GPRS detach, cell update, intraSGSN routing area update 2. Session management Procedures that handle the GPRS MS connection management to the external data networks are called Session Management (SM). Examples: PDP context activation
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Subscriber information, information elements, and location

Type of info Identity What info IMSI TMSI IP address Location VLR address Location area Serving SGSN Routing area Services Basic services, supplementary services, circuit switched bearer services, GPRS service information Basic services, supplementary services, CS bearer services GPRS service information Authentication data Ki, algorithms Triplets Where SIM, HLR, VLR, SGSN SGSN, MS MS, SGSN, GGSN HLR SGSN, VLR HLR, VLR SGSN HLR

VLR SGSN SIM, AC VLR, SGSN

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What is a routing area?

RA-2 RA-1

RA-3

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Routing area
SGSN-1 SGSN-2

BSC-1

RA-1

RA-2

RA-3

BSC-2

LA-1

LA-3

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MS states
VLR-1

HLR

BSC

SGSN-1

RA-1 LA-1

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MS Idle
HLR VLR-1 IMSI LAI SGSN ? IMSI 244... VLR SGSN

BSC

SGSN-1

IMSI RA Cell

? ? ?

RA-1 LA-1

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MS Ready
HLR VLR-1 IMSI 244... LAI LA-1 SGSN SGSN-1 IMSI 244... VLR VLR-1 SGSN SGSN-1

BSC

SGSN-1

IMSI RAI Cell

244... RA-1 cell-1

RA-1 LA-1

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MS Standby
HLR VLR-1 IMSI 244... LAI LA-1 SGSN SGSN-1 IMSI 244... VLR VLR-1 SGSN SGSN-1

BSC

SGSN-1

IMSI RAI Cell

244... RA-1 ?????

RA-1
LA-1

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IDLE

IDLE

GPRS Attach

GPRS Detach

GPRS Attach

GPRS Detach or Cancel Location

READY
STANDBY timer expiry PDU transmission READY timer expiry or Force to STANDBY

STANDBY timer expiry or Cancel Location

READY
PDU reception

READY timer expiry or Force to STANDBY or Abnormal RLC condition

STANDBY

STANDBY

MM State Model of MS

MM State Model of SGSN

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GPRS attach (0)

HLR SGSN-1

BSC

RA-1
LA-1

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GPRS attach (1) (First time in PLMN)

(1) MS Requests GPRS attach. (2a) The SGSN requests subscriber identity. (2b) The MS sends its IMSI.
HLR

SGSN-1 2a 1 BSC 2b

RA-1
LA-1

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GPRS attach (2) authentication

(3a) SGSN requests triplets from AC. (First time in PLMN). (3b) The AC generates the triplets (RAND, SRES, Kc) and hands them to the SGSN. (3c) SGSN sends an authentication request to the MS (along with RAND). (3f) The SIM calculates SRES and sends it to SGSN. (3g) SGSN verifies (SRES=SRES).
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3b 3a

HLR/AC

SGSN-1

3c 3f BSC

RA-1 LA-1

GPRS attach (3) IMEI check

(4a) SGSN asks for MS IMEI. (4b) MS sends the IMEI.
SGSN-1 4c 4d EIR

(4c) SGSN sends a Check IMEI message to the EIR.

(4d) EIR replies with a Check IMEI ack that will include the list type where the IMEI was found (unknown, white, grey, or black).
4a

4b
BSC

RA-1 LA-1

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GPRS attach (4)

(5a) SGSN sends Update location message to HLR with subscriber IMSI. (5b) HLR responds by giving SGSN-1 subscriber data to the SGSN. (5c) SGSN acknowledges that it has received the subscriber data ok.
6a BSC 6b 5d 5b 5a 5c HLR

(5d) HLR ends the transaction with an Update Location ack.

(6a) SGSN accepts the GPRS attach and sends MS a new P-TMSI. (6b) MS acknowledges that it has received the new P-TMSI.
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RA-1
LA-1

What happens after a GPRS attach?

After GPRS attach, SGSN starts tracking location of the MS MS can send and receive SMS, but no other data To transfer other data it first has to activate a PDP context When the subscriber wants to end a connection to the GPRS network, the GPRS detach is used GPRS detach changes state of MS to Idle and mobility management context in SGSN (and in the MS) is removed MS normally initiates GPRS detach, but it can also be initiated by the network if mobile reachable timer expires

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What is session management?

Procedures that handle the GPRS MS connection to the external data networks are called Session Management (SM). What types of SM procedures exist? PDP Context Activation PDP Context Deactivation PDP Context Modification: modifying a PDP context

What kinds of IP addresses can be used during a SM? Static IP address (permanent MS IP address) Dynamic IP address allocated by GGSN, DHCP, or RADIUS server

HPLMN Dynamic IP Address VPLMN Dynamic IP Address

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Steps during PDP context activation

Receive request from subscriber Check MS subscription data (static/dynamic, APN, etc.) Authenticate subscriber Check if IP address has to be allocated and by whom Convert APN name to GGSN IP Address using DNS Contact GGSN and check if it is prepared to accept MS Await GGSN confirmation Get ready for charging!!!

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PDP context activation - 0

BTS

BSC

SGSN
DNS GPRS Core Network

Access Point
Intranet GGSN Internet

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PDP context activation: Step A

(1) MS sends "Activate PDP Context Request" to the SGSN Access point name PDP type (IP or X25) PDP address (empty = dynamic) QoS & other options
BTS BSC

1.
APN= "Intranet.Ltd.com" SGSN

(2) SGSN checks subscription data Access point name Dynamic/static IP address
DNS GPRS Core Network

Access Point
GGSN

Intranet

Internet

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PDP context activation: Step B

(1) SGSN gets the GGSN IP address from DNS, which maps APN to the GGSN IP address. (2) SGSN sends 'Create PDP Context Request to GGSN PDP type (e.g. IP) PDP address (if empty dynamic
add.)
SGSN DNS

BTS

BSC

1.
GPRS Core Network

Access point name Proposed TID QoS & other options

2.

Access Point
Intranet GGSN Internet

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PDP context activation: Step C

User authenticated OK (non-transparent case) User dynamic IP address allocated by RADIUS server, or DHCP server, or GGSN internal pool (1) GGSN sends 'Create PDP Context Response' back to SGSN with IP address, TID confirm, and charging ID. (2) SGSN sends 'Activate PDP Context Accept' to the MS.
SGSN

BTS

BSC

2.

SGSN is now ready to route user traffic between MS and GGSN.

GPRS Core Network GGSN Intranet

1.
Internet

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PDP context information

Mobile Station PDP Type PDP Address NSAPI APN SGSN PDP Type PDP Address IMSI NSAPI APN GGSN Address Charging ID GGSN PDP Type PDP Address IMSI NSAPI APN SGSN Address Charging ID

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What is transparent access to Internet?

GGSN has no active role in user authentication Subscriber IP address static or GGSN allocated from operator's ISP

Operator ISP gives Internet access and value-added services (e-mail, web, etc.)
BTS

BSC
SGSN GPRS Backbone GGSN AP 1 GGSN AP 2

Operator's ISP Network

VAS

DNS

Edge N Router A
T

Internet

Service

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What is non-transparent access?

GGSN provides user authentication towards RADIUS server Subscriber IP address allocated from intranet address space Connection to the intranet router via a dedicated link or a VPN
BTS BSC SGSN GPRS Backbone Intranet GGSN Service VPN Edge Router Internet VPN

Infra servers - RADIUS (SecurID) - DNS

DNS
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Service

Non-transparent access to intranet

BTS BSC

SGSN GPRS Backbone

GGSN

AP Service

Connection from GGSN to intranet router is built using dedicated line e.g. Serial link.

Router

Intranet

Internet

Infra servers - RADIUS - DNS

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GPRS Evolution from 2G to 3G

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Evolution steps

2.5G

2G

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First generation (1G) mobile communication

HLR - Home Location Register VLR - Visitor Location Register AuC - Authentication Centre

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Second generation (2G) mobile system

2G network architecture
MS BTS BSC BSS
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Mobile Station Base Transceiver Station Base Station Controller Base Station Subsystem

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GSM

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HSCSD

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GPRS

The GSM/GPRS network architecture

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GPRS vs. HSCSD

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EDGE
High data rates Uses 8-PSK modulation scheme

Bandwidth efficient
More bits per unit spectrum (greater speed) EDGE can be used with HSCSD ECSD (Enhanced Circuit Switched Data) = EDGE + HSCSD EDGE can be used with GPRS EGPRS (Enhanced GPRS) = EDGE + GPRS

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3G requirements
The system should be fully specified (like GSM) The specifications should be valid worldwide Must bring clear added value Must be backward compatible with GSM and ISDN (at least for a short term) Should support multimedia systems

Radio access should be generic

Services to the end-users must be independent of access

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3GPP
3GPP specifies standards for 3G systems Incorporates the following ITU-T International Telecommunications Union Telecomms ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute ARIB Association of radio Industries and Business ANSI American National Standards Institute

3GPP documents www.3gpp.org

Standards are based on UTRA interface

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UMTS architecture
Packet Switched Domain 3G-SGSN Gn Iub RNC Iu Iu SS7
Network

Um

BS

IP Backbone

Internet GGSN

Gr

SMS-C

BS

Iur

ATM

HLR Iu Iu

Charging DNS Centre CG DHCP RADIUS NMS LIG

Service & subscriber management

Packet PSTN
Network

MSC/VLR Circuit Switched Domain

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GMSC

UMTS
GMSC Packet network PSTN Network BS R/S Um Iub MSC/VLR RNC SCP Iu Iu SS7 Network Iur ATM Corporate intranet Iu HLR

3G-SGSN Gn
Firewall Inter PLMN backbone (IP) Gp IP Backbone

Gi.IP Internet GGSN

Gn

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