Evaluation of the Route Optimization for NEMO in Satellite Networks

 

Abu Zafar M. Shahriar1, Mohammed Atiquzzaman1 and William D. Ivancic2

 

1School of Computer Science

University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK 73019-6151, USA

{shahriar,atiq}@ou.edu

 

2Satellite Networks and Architectures Branch

NASA Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, OH, USA

wivancic@grc.nasa.gov

 

 

Abstract

 

Network Mobility (NEMO) has been proposed to efficiently manage the mobility of the group of

hosts that are moving together as a mobile network. NEMO Basic Support Protocol (BSP) suffers

from the problem of inefficient route. A number of route optimization schemes have been proposed in

the literature to solve the problem. The schemes are mainly based on four approaches – Delegation based,

Hierarchical, Source routing and BGP-assisted. The approaches have been evaluated in the

literature in terms of various performance metrics. The selection of a route optimization approach for

NEMO in terrestrial networks is straight forward from the evaluations that implicitly assume NEMO

in such networks. However, the selection of a route optimization approach requires additional evaluations

for NEMO architecture that has been proposed for satellite networks to manage the mobility of

Internet Protocol-enabled devices onboard satellites. The requirement for the additional evaluations

results from the satellite network characteristics, such as long delay links, the link asymmetry, and

power constraints. In addition, the availability of multiple connections for mobile networks

in satellite networks requires the use of multihoming, a feature to support multiple connections in NEMO,

with the route optimization. There are only a few route optimization schemes that consider multihoming.

In this work, we discuss the desired characteristics of a route optimization scheme for satellite networks,

and the requirements for incorporating multihoming into each of the approaches

for the route optimization. Based on the characteristics, previous evaluations and the requirements for

multihoming, we analyze the approaches to find suitable route optimization approaches for NEMO

in satellite networks. Results show that delegation-based and hierarchical approaches are more suitable

for NEMO in satellite networks compared to the other two approaches.

In addition, the relative advantages and disadvantages among the approaches are also shown

in terms of the desired characteristics. Thus, our analysis lays the basis for the future research

to select a suitable scheme for the route optimization in NEMO for satellite networks.

 

Keywords: NEMO, route optimization, multihoming

 

Journal of Wireless Mobile Networks, Ubiquitous Computing, and Dependable Applications (JoWUA),

Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 46-88, June 2011 [pdf]