A-IMS architecture analysis and experimental IPv6 testbed

Advances to IMS (A-IMS) architecture extends the existing IMS/MMD architecture currently being defined in 3GPP/3GPP2 respectively so that it can support both SIP and non-SIP-based services. We describe the key strength of A-IMS architecture, compare the benefits over MMD architecture, and then describe an enhanced MMD experimental testbed to demonstrate many of the A-IMS features. We highlight many of the functional components of the testbed that perform several operations such as signaling, location management, security, and mobility. We experiment with two different mobility management techniques and analyze the associated delays and packet loss for both 802.11 networks and PPP networks. We illustrate the service interaction between SIP-based services such as VoIP and non-SIP-based services such as IPTV. Analysis from these experimental results and testbed implementation can be useful to any service provider that plans to deploy IMS/MMD architecture over IPv6.