Control-plane protocol interactions in cellular networks

Abstract

Control-plane protocols are complex in cellular networks. They communicate with one another along three dimensions of cross layers, cross (circuit-switched and packet-switched) domains, and cross (3G and 4G) systems. In this work, we propose signaling diagnosis tools and uncover six instances of problematic interactions. Such control-plane issues span both design defects in the 3GPP standards and operational slips by carriers. They are more damaging than data-plane failures. In the worst-case scenario, users may be out of service in 4G, or get stuck in 3G. We deduce root causes, propose solutions, and summarize learned lessons.

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Index Terms

• Computing methodologies

  • Modeling and simulation

    • Model development and analysis

      • Modeling methodologies

• General and reference

  • Cross-computing tools and techniques

    • Design

• Networks

  • Network types

    • Mobile networks

    • Wireless access networks