How Does IPv6 Work in 3GPP EPS / LTE Networks? This Draft Explains…
If you are a network geek (like me) who likes to understand how networks are put together, there’s a great Internet-Draft out about how IPv6 works in 3GPP mobile networks such as EPS and LTE. The draft is at:
And comes complete with ASCII network diagrams that include clouds!
Seriously, though, this is a well-done document that provides a great amount of insight into how 3GPP networks work in general and how IPv6 is used within the network. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in IPv6 and/or the evolution of mobile networks.
Here’s the beginning of the introduction to give you the context:
IPv6 has been specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards since the early architectures developed for R99 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). However, the support for IPv6 in commercially deployed networks remains low. There are many factors that can be attributed to the lack of IPv6 deployment in 3GPP networks. The most relevant one is essentially the same as the reason for IPv6 not being deployed by other networks as well, i.e. the lack of business and commercial incentives for deployment. 3GPP network architectures have also evolved since 1999 (since R99). The most recent version of the 3GPP architecture, the Evolved Packet System (EPS), which is commonly referred to as SAE, LTE or Release-8, is a packet centric architecture. The number of subscribers and devices that are using the 3GPP networks for Internet connectivity and data services has also increased significantly. With the subscriber growth numbers projected to increase even further and the IPv4 addresses depletion problem looming in the near term, 3GPP operators and vendors have started the process of identifying the scenarios and solutions needed to transition to IPv6.
This document describes the establishment of IP connectivity in 3GPP network architectures, specifically in the context of IP bearers for 3GPP GPRS and for 3GPP EPS. It provides an overview of how IPv6 is supported as per the current set of 3GPP specifications. Some of the issues and concerns with respect to deployment and shortage of private IPv4 addresses within a single network domain are also discussed.
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