Performance models for mobile IP in a cellular environment

We propose both the simulation model and the queuing network model for the performance evaluation of mobile IP. The performance models include the registration process of a mobile host from which a previous foreign agent receives a binding update message. When the previous foreign agent receives the binding information, it transmits the buffered packets to new care-of address of a mobile host. The two stages queuing network model is suggested. The first stage models a queue at the new foreign agent that represents the traffic for the request of the registration process generating during handoffs from mobile hosts. In the second stage a queue at the previous foreign agent represents the traffic for binding update messages and also represents the traffic destined to mobile hosts at the previous foreign agent. Therefore, in the second stage it is modeled with a queue having 2 priorities. It is shown that the queuing network model is compatible with the simulation model. Finally, it is shown that at the foreign agent traffic characteristics, host mobility, registration process time and buffer management scheme have a critical impact on the performance of mobile IP.