Evaluation of the route optimization architecture for MOBIKE-based mobile communication systems

MOBIKE, which is an extended specification of IKEv2, has been proposed as a technology to set up VPN connections in a mobile environment. An advantage of MOBIKE over a similar mobile technology, Mobile IP, is that the handover time is short. However, since MOBIKE uses only a single tunnel terminating device, if it is applied to a network in which mobile terminals move about over a wide area, connection of the terminals to the tunnel terminating device may not always be successful. Consequently, as a mobile terminal moves about, it may not be able to select a route that is optimal for the location of the terminal. This can cause two problems: prolongation of communication delay, and excessive consumption of network bandwidth. This paper proposes the introduction of a management server which selects the tunnel terminating device most appropriate for the network area in which a mobile terminal is located, and changes routing accordingly. In addition, this paper reports on the duration of communication interruption caused by the routing changing process, derived from an evaluation of actual machines and a theoretical evaluation.