Multilayer mobility management for all-IP networks: pure SIP vs. hybrid SIP/mobile IP

Next generation systems will support mobility based on the continuing advancements in wireless technology. An integrated solution, whereby mobility management is an integral part of the IP layer routing protocol, would be more advantageous for both the operator and the end user. In this paper, we present two mobility management architectures based on SIP and Mobile IP protocols. These configurations mainly allow/provide mobility in two different layers namely the application and network layers and due to that our proposal is so-called multilayered. Such mobility should be present over heterogeneous networks, such as UMTS, WLANs, as well as, fixed networks. The two proposed architectures are evaluated in terms of mobility-related metrics and for two types of traffic, real time and non real time. Finally, we propose the most suitable architecture for mobility management over heterogeneous all-IP infrastructures.