Network Working Group F. Xia
Internet-Draft B. Sarikaya
Expires: December 27, 2010 Huawei USA
June 25, 2010
Flow Binding in Proxy Mobile IPv6
draft-xia-netext-flow-binding-02
Abstract
This document introduces extensions to Proxy Mobile IPv6 that allows
networks dynamically binding IP flows to different interfaces of a
mobile node. Mobile Access Gateways can move flows to other mobile
access gateways by establishing flow bindings at the local mobility
anchor. Local mobility anchor sends packets from the offloaded flow
seamlessly to the new mobile access gateway.
Status of this Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
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This Internet-Draft will expire on December 27, 2010.
Copyright Notice
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document authors. All rights reserved.
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described in the Simplified BSD License.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Use Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4. Design Assumptions and Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5. Protocol Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.1. Other Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6. MAG Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7. LMA Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. MN Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
9. Message formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
9.1. Target Care-of-Address sub-option . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
10. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
11. IANA considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
12. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13.2. Informative references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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1. Introduction
Assume a mobile node equipped with two interfaces namely IF1 (e.g.
3GPP) and IF2 (e.g WiFi), and IF1 is active while IF2 is not
activated. There are two flows running on IF1, that is, VoIP and
file downloading. At some time, e.g., the mobile node moves into a
WiFi hotspot, IF2 becomes active, and the file downloading flow is
then offloaded to IF2 while VoIP flow remains on IF1. When the
mobile node moves out of the hotspot, the file downloading flow is
moved back to IF1 again.
In this document, a flow is defined as one or more connections that
are identified by a flow identifier. A single connection is
typically identified by the source and destination IP addresses,
transport protocol number and the source and destination port
numbers.
[I-D.ietf-mext-flow-binding] allows a mobile node to bind a
particular flow to a care-of address without affecting other flows
using the same home address. Flow Identification option is defined
and included in Binding Update (BU) / Binding Acknowledgement(BA)
messages. However, the mechanism specified in the document can't be
directly applied to Proxy Mobile IPv6 in which the mobile node is not
involved in mobility management. A Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) is
then introduced to take on mobility management on behalf of the
mobile node.
This document introduces extensions to Proxy Mobile IPv6 that allows
networks dynamically bind IP flows to different interfaces of a
mobile node. In the aforementioned scenario, the IF1 attaches to a
mobile access gateway forwarding VoIP and file downloading flows at
the beginning. When the mobile node moves into a WiFi hotspot, IF2
becomes active and connects to another mobile access gateway which
then takes over file downloading flow. Based on operator policy or
the mobile node profile, the mobile access gateways may signal a
Local Mobility Anchor (LMA) to redirect flows from one to another.
2. Terminology
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119].
The terminology in this document is based on the definitions in
[RFC5213], in addition to the ones specified in this section.
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Serving Interface: a mobile node's interface on which some
application flows are running. Based on the MN's profile,
operator's policy, or other reasons, some of the flows are
supposed to be offloaded to the other interfaces of the mobile
node when they become available.
Target Interface: a mobile node's interface which is taking over
some application flows from a serving interface of the mobile
node.
Serving IP Address (SIP): an IPv4 or IPv6 address configured on a
serving interface.
Target IP Address (TIP): an IPv4 or IPv6 address configured on a
target interface.
Serving Mobile Access Gateway(SMAG): A mobile access gateway which a
serving interface attaches to.
Target Mobile Access Gateway(TMAG): A mobile access gateway which a
target interface attaches to.
3. Use Cases
Michael is using 3GPP access to different services with different
characteristics in terms of QoS requirements and bandwidth:
o a VoIP call.
o a non-conversational video streaming, e.g.IPTV.
o a p2p download.
When Michael gets into his home where WiFi access is available,
Michael prefers running the p2p download and IPTV through the WiFi
network, and leaving the VoIP call still on 3GPP networks.
At some time, Michael's device starts ftp file synchronization with a
backup server. Due to the synchronization, the WiFi access becomes
congested and the IPTV flow is then moved back to 3GPP access.
After a while, Michael moves out of his home and loses the WiFi
connectivity. Triggered by this event, all the IP flows through the
WiFi access need to be moved to the 3GPP access which is the only
access available.
4. Design Assumptions and Principles
The following are assumptions and principles when this solution is
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proposed.
o This document only deals with scenarios that multiple interfaces
of a mobile node are registered at the same local mobility anchor.
o This document also tries to avoid any new layer 2 or layer 3
protocols introduced between a mobile node and a mobile access
gateway.
o Mobile access gateways can detect attachments or detachments of
mobile nodes through existing layer 2 mechanism (e.g. 3GPP, WiMAX,
or WiFi). The attachment or detachment events can serve as
triggers for mobile access gateways to initiate flow mobility
procedure.
o There are no direct communications among mobile access gateways to
which multiple interfaces of a mobile node attach. One mobile
access gateway may be able to learn the presence of another mobile
access gateway through message exchanges with the common local
mobility anchor.
o When a local mobility anchor receives a flow binding request from
a mobile access gateway, it can make a decision by itself or
consult a mobile access gateway to which the flow will move.
5. Protocol Operation
+--------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
| MN | | SMAG | | TMAG | | LMA |
+--------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
IF1 IF2 | | |
| | | | |
| 1 Attachment | | |
|<-------------->| 2 PBU&PBA |
| 3 Addr Cfg |<-------------------------->|
|<-------------->| | |
Running | | | |
Applications | | |
| | 4 Attachment/PBU&PBA/Addr Cfg |
| |<------------------------>|<----------->|
| | | | |
| | | 5 PBU(Flow Binding) |
| | |--------------------------->|
| | | |
| | | 6 PBA(Flow Binding) |
| | |<---------------------------|
| | | | 7 Packets |
| | 8 Packets |<============|
| |<=========================| |
| | | | |
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Figure 1: Protocol Operation
1. A mobile node has two interfaces, IF1 and IF2. At the beginning,
only IF1 is activated and attachment procedure is triggered.
2. On receiving attachment signaling from the mobile node, a mobile
access gateway, acting as a SMAG, sends a PBU to a LMA. Access
Technology Type Option defined in [RFC5213] is carried in the
PBU. The LMA assigns a unique prefix for the mobile node through
a PBA message to the SMAG.
3. The SMAG extracts the prefix, and advertises it to the mobile
node through Router Advertisement message. The mobile node then
configures its address, acting as a SIP, through stateless
address configuration procedure specified in [RFC4862]. Then,
the mobile node runs applications using this address, such as,
VoIP,IPTV, and p2p downloading.
4. When the mobile node moves into some other places where IF2 is
activated, the mobile node follows similar steps to 1,2,3 to
configure IP address for IF2, acting as TIP. According to Proxy
Mobile IPv6 specification [RFC5213], this is an attachment over a
new interface with the Handoff Indicator field set to a value of
1 and the SIP is different from TIP. Here the binding cache
entry is modified as described in
[I-D.sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions].
5. Based on the mobile node's profile, operator's policy, or network
status the SMAG decides to offload some traffic flows from IF1 to
IF2. The SMAG then sends a PBU with Flow Identification option
defined in [I-D.ietf-mext-flow-binding]. This message indicates
the LMA to change the direction of the requested flows from the
SMAG to the TMAG. SMAG first assigns a Flow Identifier (FID)
value to this flow and then sets Action field to Forward. SMAG
adds the flow description using the Traffic Selector sub-option.
SMAG indicates TMAG address in Target Care-of-Address Sub-option
defined in Section 9.1.
6. It is the LMA that makes a decision if offloading request is
granted or not. The LMA may decide based on local information,
such as, access technology types, bandwidth, service types, and
so on. The LMA inquires the TMAG of acceptability of the
offloading request and establishes this new flow at the TMAG.
Section 5.1 explains message exchanges between the LMA and the
SMAG. TMAG adds a new entry for this flow in its Flow Binding
Entries Table. The LMA sends a PBA to indicate the operation
result of the flow binding request.
7. All the offloaded packets with SIP as destination address (if it
belongs to the home interface as described in
[I-D.sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions]) received by LMA are
encapsulated and sent to the TMAG.
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8. The TMAG strips the encapsulation, and checks that an entry for
this flow exists in the flow binding entries table and then
forwards the packets to the mobile node's IF2. The mobile node
then processes the packets with SIP as the destination address.
5.1. Other Enhancements
It is helpful for a SMAG when initiating flow movement if the SMAG is
aware of the presence of the potential TMAGs. This awareness can be
achieved through notification from a local mobility anchor because
all MAGs of mobile node are associated to the same local mobility
anchor.
The LMA notifies SMAG about IF2's presence through Generic Signaling
Request / Generic Signaling Acknowledgement message exchanges
specified in [I-D.ietf-mext-generic-signaling-message]. Flow
Identification Mobility Option with Target Care-of Address sub-option
defined in Section 9.1 is included in the message from the LMA to the
SMAG. Through this message exchange, the SMAG has an idea of
availability of other interfaces of the mobile node, and the address
of the TMAG.
To make a better decision, the LMA may send a Generic Signaling
Request message to the TMAG for inquiring if the offloading is
allowed. Flow Identification option is included in the message. The
TMAG responds with a Generic Signaling Acknowledgment message. If
the TMAG accepts the flows, the Status field of the message SHOULD be
set to 0, otherwise, the field is set to a value of 128 or higher.
Flow binding extensions described in
[I-D.sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions] are assumed. These
extensions are needed to avoid LMA sending packets with double
encapsulation to MN over LMA-MAG tunnel after a particular flow is
moved from one interface to another interface. The extensions
require LMA to distinguish the home interface, e.g. 3G interface from
the secondary interfaces, e.g. WiFi and the mobile node always uses
the home interface address as the source address in the packets it
sends over a virtual interface.
6. MAG Operation
Flow binding is always initiated by a SMAG, that is, the SMAG wants
to offload its traffic flow to other MAGs. There are several reasons
for triggering flow binding.
o The SMAG is notified by a LMA the availability of other MAGs which
the same mobile node currently attaches to.
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o Congestion occurs in the SMAG which knows there are other MAGs
connecting to the same mobile node.
o The SMAG detects the serving interface of the mobile node is out
of service.
o ... ...
As to Flow Identification option used in this document, there are two
fields needing special consideration, that is, Flow ID (FID) and
Binding Identification number (BID). BID is mainly defined for
multiple-interfaced mobile nodes with Mobile IPv6 functionalities.
The BID is an identification number used to distinguish multiple
bindings registered by the mobile node. Each BID is generated and
managed by a mobile node in Mobile IPv6. In Proxy Mobile IPv6,
mobility management of mobile nodes with multiple interfaces is run
in different independent MAGs, and BID loses its meaning. All BID
fields in Flow Identification option SHOULD be set to 0. In this
document flows are identified using FID. FID is set by the
initiator, e.g. SMAG. Thereafter it is used by all other entities
like LMA and any other MAGs to which this flow is forwarded to.
7. LMA Operation
The LMA is the center of the flow binding processing. It has
following functionalities:
o Advertising the availability of a new interface of a mobile node.
When an interface of the mobile node becomes active, a
corresponding MAG SHOULD sends a PBU to the LMA. Triggered by the
PBU, the LMA then notifies all the other MAGs which the mobile
node is attaching to. Generic Signalling Request with Flow
Identification Mobility Option is used for this notification. The
new MAG's address is sent in Target Care-of Address Sub-option.
o Deciding if an offloading request is acceptable. On receiving PBU
from a SMAG with a flow binding request, the LMA makes a decision
based on operator's local policy, mobile node's preference,
bandwidth of the flow, and so on.
o Inquiring a TMAG for acceptability of the offloaded flows. If the
LMA can't decide on accepting offloading request, the LMA SHOULD
inquire other MAGs using Generic Signaling Request message with
Flow Identification Mobility Option copying the fields from the
PBU sent by the originating SMAG. TMAG sends a Generic Signaling
Acknowledgement message and sets Status field to 0 indicating
acceptance. TMAG also inserts the new flow in its flow binding
entries table.
o Redirecting upstream packets. In Mobile IPv6, the home agent
tunnels the upstream packets to the Care-of Address indicated in
the flow binding entry table for this flow. In Proxy Mobile IPv6,
LMA keeps a flow binding entry table as in
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[I-D.ietf-mext-flow-binding] and links binding cache entries for
each mobile node to this table. The table contains an entry for
each active flow that the mobile node has indicating to which MAG,
i.e. Proxy-CoA1 to forward the flow to. LMA first matches the
traffic selectors given in the table entry and then tunnels the
packet to the corresponding MAG. Together with provisions in
[I-D.sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions], the destination MAG
can simply decapsulate the packet and forward to the mobile node's
interface connected to this MAG.
8. MN Operation
In this document, it is assumed that different interfaces are
assigned different prefixes, and the same interface is configured
with the same IP address even after resetting of the interface. Once
one interface becomes inactive, the software SHOULD map the address
to another interface, or to a virtual interface,so that ongoing
sessions with the address can survive. When the interface becomes
active again, and receive the same prefix from a LMA, the address
SHOULD be moved back to the interface.
9. Message formats
9.1. Target Care-of-Address sub-option
This section introduces the Target Care-of-Address, which may be
included in the Flow Identification Mobility Option. This sub-option
is used by the TMAG to indicate the Local Mobility Anchor to move a
flow binding from SMAG to the Target Care-of Address, i.e. TMAG.
0 1 2 3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| Sub-opt Type | Sub-opt Len | Reserved |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| Target Care-of-Address |
. .
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Figure 2: Target Care-of-Address Sub-option
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Sub-opt Type
To be assigned by IANA
Sub-opt Len
Length of the sub-option in 8-octet units
Reserved
This field is unused. It MUST be initialized to zero by the
sender and MUST be ignored by the receiver.
Target Care-of-Address
An IP address of a MAG to which a new interface is attaching.
This address could be IPv4 or IPv6 address.
10. Security Considerations
This specification allows a mobile access gateway to offload traffic
to other mobile access gateway. This mechanism facilitate a serving
mobile access gateway to launch DoS attacks to a target mobile access
gateway. However, a local mobility anchor finally decides
acceptability of an offloading request, as mitigates DoS attacks
threat.
11. IANA considerations
A new mobile option, Alternative Interface Indicator, is defined.
Option type SHOULD be assigned by IANA.
12. Acknowledgements
TBD.
13. References
13.1. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC5213] Gundavelli, S., Leung, K., Devarapalli, V., Chowdhury, K.,
and B. Patil, "Proxy Mobile IPv6", RFC 5213, August 2008.
[RFC3775] Johnson, D., Perkins, C., and J. Arkko, "Mobility Support
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in IPv6", RFC 3775, June 2004.
[RFC4862] Thomson, S., Narten, T., and T. Jinmei, "IPv6 Stateless
Address Autoconfiguration", RFC 4862, September 2007.
[RFC0792] Postel, J., "Internet Control Message Protocol", STD 5,
RFC 792, September 1981.
[RFC4443] Conta, A., Deering, S., and M. Gupta, "Internet Control
Message Protocol (ICMPv6) for the Internet Protocol
Version 6 (IPv6) Specification", RFC 4443, March 2006.
13.2. Informative references
[I-D.ietf-mext-flow-binding]
Soliman, H., Tsirtsis, G., Montavont, N., Giaretta, G.,
and K. Kuladinithi, "Flow Bindings in Mobile IPv6 and NEMO
Basic Support", draft-ietf-mext-flow-binding-06 (work in
progress), March 2010.
[I-D.ietf-mext-generic-signaling-message]
Haley, B. and S. Gundavelli, "Mobile IPv6 Generic
Signaling Message",
draft-ietf-mext-generic-signaling-message-00 (work in
progress), August 2008.
[I-D.sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions]
Sarikaya, B. and F. Xia, "PMIPv6 Multihoming Support for
Flow Mobility",
draft-sarikaya-netext-fb-support-extensions-00 (work in
progress), February 2010.
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Authors' Addresses
Frank Xia
Huawei USA
1700 Alma Dr. Suite 500
Plano, TX 75075
Phone: +1 972-509-5599
Email: xiayangsong@huawei.com
Behcet Sarikaya
Huawei USA
1700 Alma Dr. Suite 500
Plano, TX 75075
Phone: +1 972-509-5599
Email: sarikaya@ieee.org
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