GPRS Traffic Management

1
Module objectives

This module enables the participant to:

• Explain the mobility management functions in GPRS:
— GPRS attach/detach
— cell update
— routing area update
• Explain the session management functions in GPRS:
— PDP context activation
• Explain the difference between idle, ready and standby MS states and
their relation to the different MM functions.
• Explain addressing in GPRS.
• Describe charging in GPRS.
• Explain the concept of security in GPRS.
• Describe the data flows for a roaming GPRS MS.

...without reference to notes.

2
So far ...

• We have had a look at

—GPRS Concepts
—GPRS Functions
—GPRS Protocols
—GPRS Components
—GPRS Interfaces
• Next we will look at Operation of the GPRS Network (GPRS
Procedures):
—That is, how is a GPRS function implemented by the sending of
messages with some parameters between GPRS components on one
or more interfaces using a protocol.
—For example: Charging functionality is implemented by the sending of
Charging Data Records between GSNs and CG using the GTP’ protocol
on the Ga interface.

3
What sort of procedures are needed?

– MS switches on for the first time.

– MS indicates that it is switched on and ready. (GPRS Attach)

– MS indicates that it is switched off. (GPRS Detach)

– MS indicates that it wants to transmit data. (PDP Context Activation)

– MS indicates to stop data transmission. (PDP Context Deactivation)

–
– MS moves from one part to another of a service area. (Cell Update and RA Update
procedure)

– MS may roam into another networks service area. (Roaming)

– etc.

4
What is Traffic Management?

Traffic Management Procedure is subdivided into 2 areas:

1. What is Mobility Management?
– Procedures that take care of the mobility of the user, such as the GPRS
attach, are called GPRS Mobility Management (GMM).
• The GMM procedures are similar to the mobility management for circuit
switched users.
• Examples: GPRS Attach, GPRS Detach, Cell Update, Intra-SGSN Routing
Area Update

2. What is Session Management?

– Procedures that handle the GPRS MS connection management to the
external data networks are called Session Management (SM).
• Examples: PDP Context Activation

5
Types of subscriber information

• Subscriber Identity
— How do we uniquely identify a subscriber?
• IMSI, TMSI, IP Address
— Where will this information be maintained?
• Subscriber Location
— How do we know the location of the subscriber?
• Location Area (LA) and Routing Area (RA)
— Where will this information be maintained?
• Subscriber Services
— What sort of services is a subscriber allowed to access?
— Where will this information be maintained?
• Subscriber Authentication
— What information is needed to authenticate the subscriber?
• Ki Algorithms, Triplets
— Where will this information be maintained?

6
Type of info What info Where

Identity  IMSI  SIM, HLR, VLR,

SGSN, GGSN
 TMSI  VLR, SGSN
 IP address  MS, SGSN, GGSN
Location  VLR-address  HLR
 Location Area  SGSN, VLR
 Serving SGSN  HLR, VLR
 Routing Area  SGSN

Services  Basic services,  HLR

supplementary services,
circuit switched bearer
services, GPRS service
inform ation
 Basic services,  VLR
supplementary services,
CS bearer services
 GPRS service inform ation  SGSN

Authentication  Ki, algorithm s  SIM, AC

data  
Triplets VLR, SGSN
7
Routing area

SGSN-1 SGSN-2

BSC-1 BSC-2
RA-1 RA-2 RA-3

LA-1 LA-3

8
What are the Mobility Management states?

• GPRS has three MM states:

—IDLE state: used when MS is not attached to network

—READY state: when mobile is ready to transmit data or has just finished
transmitting/receiving

—STANDBY state: MS is attached to the network but has no data to send

• When the MS is in each of the 3 states, different information is held in

— HLR
— VLR
— SGSN

9
MS Idle

HLR
IMSI IMSI 244...
VLR-1 LAI VLR
SGSN ? SGSN

IMSI ?
RA ?
BSC SGSN-1 Cell ?

• Not possible to use GPRS

• Mobile is either:
• switched off
• out of GPRS coverage

RA-1 •or only attached to Circuit-

Switched environment
LA-1 PACKET DATA TRANSMISSION
IS NOT POSSIBLE IN STANDBY
MODE!

10
MS Ready

HLR IMSI 244...

VLR VLR-1
IMSI 244... SGSN SGSN-
VLR-1 LAI LA-1 1
SGSN SGSN-1

IMSI 244...
RAI RA-1
BSC SGSN-1 Cell cell-1
• Location known down to CELL level
• Valid Mobility Management for the user
• Activation/deactivation of PDP context
is possible =
POSSIBLE TO SEND AND
RECEIVE DATA
RA-1 •Discontinuous reception (DRX) is
LA-1 possible (only use the radio resources
when needed)
• A READY timer supervises this state

11
MS Standby

HLR
IMSI 244... IMSI 244...
VLR-1 LAI LA-1 VLR VLR-1
SGSN SGSN-1 SGSN SGSN-1

IMSI 244...
RAI RA-1
BSC SGSN-1 Cell ?????
• Attached (location known by SGSN down to
Routing Area level)
• There is a valid MM context for MS in SGSN and
MS
• If Mobile Station sends data -> READY mode
• Mobile Station can receive paging for Circuit
Switched calls and SMS
RA-1
• MS reachable timer: starts ticking when the
MS moves to standby state.
LA-1
PACKET DATA TRANSMISSION IS NOT
POSSIBLE IN STANDBY MODE!

12
 IDLE IDLE

GPRS Attach GPRS Detach GPRS Attach GPRS Detach

or
Cancel Location

READY STANDBY timer expiry READY

STANDBY timer or
expiry Cancel Location

PDU reception
PDU transmission READY timer expiry
READY timer expiry or
or Force to STANDBY
Force to STANDBY or
Abnormal RLC condition

STANDBY STANDBY

MM State Model of MS MM State Model of SGSN

13
What are GPRS Attach and Detach?

• GPRS Attach: MS request to connect to GPRS network.

— Successful GPRS Attach results in MS moving to READY state

• GPRS Detach: To terminate connections to GPRS network.

• What needs to be done during a GPRS Attach? (Relate to GSM Attach)
— Network Request Subscriber Identity
— Authenticate Subscriber
— Check IMEI
— Allocate MS Identifier

14
GPRS Attach - first time

MS BSC SGSN HLR/EIR

1. REQUEST GPRS ATTACH (= UPDATE ROUTING
AREA)
2a. REQUEST SUBSCRIBER
ID
2b. SEND SUBSCRIBER ID = IMSI = MCC + MNC + 3a. REQUEST AUTHENTICATION
MSIN INFORMATION

3c. 3b. SEND AUTHENTICATION INFO

AUTHENTICATION
3d. AUTHENTICATION
RESPONSE
4a. REQUEST IMEI

4b. SEND IMEI 4c. CHECK IMEI

4d. CHECK IMEI

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
5a. UPDATE LOCATION

5b. PROVIDE SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION

5c. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

6a. SEND P-TMSI (32-bit number)

6b. P-TMSI ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

15
GPRS Attach - first time

MS BSC SGSN HLR/EIR

1. REQUEST GPRS ATTACH (= UPDATE ROUTING
AREA)
2a. REQUEST SUBSCRIBER
ID
2b. SEND SUBSCRIBER ID = IMSI = MCC + MNC + 3a. REQUEST AUTHENTICATION
MSIN INFORMATION

3c. 3b. SEND AUTHENTICATION INFO

AUTHENTICATION
3d. AUTHENTICATION
RESPONSE
4a. REQUEST IMEI

4b. SEND IMEI 4c. CHECK IMEI

4d. CHECK IMEI

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
5a. UPDATE LOCATION

5b. PROVIDE SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION

5c. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

6a. SEND P-TMSI (32-bit number)

6b. P-TMSI ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

16
P-TMSI and TLLI

• P-TMSI = Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity

— SGSN allocates P-TMSI.
— A new P-TMSI is allocated for each GPRS attach
— P-TMSI is an alias for the GPRS MS just like the TMSI.
— P-TMSI is only valid in a Routing Area (RA)

• TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identity) is derived from P-TMSI.

— The TLLI is used as an identifier for the connection between the MS and the
SGSN.
— The TLLI is used as the MS’s address for transmission between SGSN and MS.
— Only SGSN and MS know relationship between TLLI and IMSI.

17
What happens after a GPRS attach?

• After GPRS Attach, SGSN starts tracking location of the MS.

• The MS can send and receive SMS, but no other data.
• To transfer other data it first has to activate a PDP context.
• When the subscriber wants to end a connection to the GPRS network, the
GPRS Detach is used.
• GPRS Detach changes the state of MS to Idle and mobility management
context in SGSN (and in the MS) is removed.
• MS normally initiates GPRS Detach, but it can also be initiated by the
network if mobile reachable timer expires.

18
Questions

• How do we cope with a situation where the MS receives packet data

while moving from one cell to another?
• How do we cope with a situation where the MS moves from a
routing area to another in STANDBY state?
• These problems are solved with location management.

19
What is Location Management?

• Subset of mobility management procedures

• Used to handle the hanging of a cell or a routing area.
• What types of location management procedures are needed?
1. Movement between cells
• Cell Update
2. Movement between RA
• Routing Area Update
3. Movement between LA
• Location Area Update
4. Checking if MS is still active
• Periodic Routing Area Update is used for checking that a MS that has
not done any RA updates for some period of time is still reachable.

20
What is Cell Update?

• Also called cell reselection.

• Cell Update occurs when MS changes cell within RA in READY mode.
— Compared to handover in GSM
— Initiated by MS

What happens to Data

SGSN-1 Communications?
• Cell update halts possible reception or
sending of data.
BSC-1
• If MS or SGSN send data during cell
update, the data most likely will be
RA-1
— buffered in SGSN or
Old cellNew cell
— lost and has to be resent.

21
What is Routing Area Update?

• When the MS changes cells between the different routing areas, it

performs a Routing Area Update.
• There are two types of routing area updates:
— Intra-SGSN Routing Area Update

• If new RA is managed by same SGSN, an Intra-SGSN Routing

Area Update is performed. The old SGSN forwards user packets
to the new SGSN.
— Inter-SGSN Routing Area Update

• One SGSN can manage many routing areas. If the new routing
area is managed by a different SGSN, an Inter-SGSN Routing
Area Update is performed.

22
Intra-SGSN Routing Area Update

• Moving between two Routing Areas managed by same SGSN

• MS is moving and listening to the information broadcasted by the cells.
• MS decides to select a new cell that is in another routing area but same
SGSN.

SGSN-1

BSC-1

RA-2
RA-1

Old cell New cell

23
Intra-SGSN Routing Area Update

New RA

MS BSC SGSN HLR/EIR

1. REQUEST ROUTING AREA UPDATE

2a. AUTHENTICATION

HLR is not
2b. AUTHENTICATION RESPONSE engaged here - it
is enough if it
knows the SGSN
3. CHECK IF ALLOWED, ROUTING AREA UPDATE
ACCEPT
address - and in
this case, the SGSN
does not
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT change!

24
What is a Periodic Routing Area Update?

• If an MS stays a long time at the same place, the network has to receive an
indication that the MS is still reachable.
• This is the reason why the periodic routing area updates are made.
• All MSs attached to the GPRS will perform a periodic Routing Area Update.

25
SGSN and MSC/VLR interaction

• Do you foresee any problems due to coexistence of GSM and

GPRS?
— Coexistence of GSM and GPRS network produces some overhead traffic
because both systems independently handle mobility management.
• How can this problem be solved?
— Network could make more efficient use of its resources by using introducing
an optional Gs interface between SGSN and MSC.
• What saving are obtained using the optional Gs interface?
— Combined GPRS/IMSI Attach and Detach
— Combined RA/LA update
— Circuit switched services paging via GPRS network
— Non-GPRS alerts
— Identification procedure
— MM-information procedure

26
SGSN and MSC/VLR interaction

• Do you foresee any problems due to coexistence of GSM and

GPRS?
— Coexistence of GSM and GPRS network produces some overhead traffic
because both systems independently handle mobility management.
• How can this problem be solved?
— Network could make more efficient use of its resources by using introducing
an optional Gs interface between SGSN and MSC.
• What saving are obtained using the optional Gs interface?
— Combined GPRS/IMSI Attach and Detach
— Combined RA/LA update
— Circuit switched services paging via GPRS network
— Non-GPRS alerts
— Identification procedure
— MM-information procedure

27
What is Session Management?

• Procedures that handle the GPRS MS connection to the external

data networks are called Session Management (SM).
• What types of SM Procedures exist?
— PDP Context Activation

— PDP Context Deactivation

— PDP Context Modification: modifying a PDP context

• What kinds of IP addresses can be used during a SM?

— Static IP Address (permanent MS IP address)

— Dynamic IP Address allocated by GGSN, DHCP or RADIUS server

• HPLMN Dynamic IP Address

• VPLMN Dynamic IP Address

28
What steps during PDP Context Activation?

• Receive request from subscriber

• Check MS subscription data (static/dynamic, APN, etc.)
• Authenticate the subscriber
• Check if IP address has to be allocated and by whom
• Convert APN name to GGSN IP Address using DNS
• Contact GGSN and check if it is prepared to accept MS
• Await GGSN confirmation
• Get ready for charging!!!

29
Session Management - PDP Context Activation

MS SGSN HLR DNS GGSN

1. REQUEST PDP CONTEXT ACTIVATION

2b. AUTHENTICATION AND IMEI CHECKING

3. GET GGSN IP ADDRESS FROM DNS (APN IDENTIFIES THE GGSN)

3a. CREATE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST (STATIC IP ADDRESS ENCLOSED - IF

USED)

GGSN SELECTS ACCESS POINT TO BE USED AND

ALLOCATES AN IP ADDRESS FOR USER – IF NEEDED

3b. CREATE PDP CONTEXT RESPONSE (INCL IP

ADDRESS, TUNNEL ID INFORMATION, CHARGING ID)

4. ACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT ACCEPT

(5. SGSN READY TO ROUTE TRAFFIC BETWEEN MS AND

GGSN)

30
Step:1

BTS BSC

1.
APN=
"Intranet.Ltd.com" SGSN
DNS

GPRS Access
Core Point
Network Intranet
GGSN

Internet

31
Step: 2

BTS BSC

SGSN
1. DNS

GPRS Access
Core Point
2. Network Intranet
GGSN

Internet

32
Step: 3

BTS BSC

SGSN
DNS APN=
"Intranet.Ltd.com"

GPRS
Core
Network Intranet
GGSN

Internet

33
Step: 4

BTS BSC

2.
SGSN

GPRS
Core
Network
GGSN Intranet
1.

Internet

34
What information activated PDP Context?

Mobile Station SGSN GGSN

–PDP Type
–PDP Type (i.e. IP or X25) PDP Type –PDP Address
–PDP Address (IP address) PDP Address –IMSI
–NSAPI (Connection id) –NSAPI
–APN (Default gateway) APN
–APN
–... GGSN Address –SGSN Address
Charging ID –Charging ID
IMSI (User id) –...
NSAPI
(IMSI+NSAPI=TID
)
...

35
What is transparent access to Internet?

• GGSN has no active role in user authentication

• Subscriber IP address static or GGSN allocated from operator's ISP
• Operator ISP gives Internet access and Value Added Services
(e-mail, web, etc.)

BTS BSC

GPRS
SGSN
Backbone
GGSN GGSN
AP AP
1 2

Operator's ISP Network

DNS
VAS Edge N
A Internet Service
Router T

36
What is non-transparent access?

• GGSN provides user authentication towards RADIUS server

• Subscriber IP address allocated from intranet address space
• Connection to the intranet router via a dedicated link or a VPN

BTS BSC

SGSN VPN

GPRS
Infra servers
Backbone
- RADIUS

nn l
Tu tua
(SecurID)

el
Intranet
- DNS
Vir

GGSN
Service

Edge
VPN Internet
Router

DNS Service

37
Non-transparent access to intranet

• Dynamic IP address allocated by a DHCP or RADIUS server in the

customer's Intranet or by an ISP
• Access to public Internet via the company's intranet

BTS BSC

SGSN
GPRS
Backbone

GGSN
A
P
Service
Connection from GGSN to intranetRouter Intranet Internet
router is built using dedicated line
e.g. Serial link.
Infra servers
- RADIUS
- DNS

38
MOBILE SERVICE CLASSES

Class Service MM State

Circuit switched
A (AND) Packet switched GSM ( AND) GPRS
Circuit switched
B (OR) Packet switched GSM ( AND) GPRS
Circuit switched
C (OR) Packet switched GSM ( OR) GPRS

39
Mobile Multislot Classes

Multislot Maximum number of slots Minimum number of slots Type default

Rx tx sum Tta Ttb Tra Trb
1 1 1 2 3 2 4 2 1
2 2 1 3 3 2 3 1 1
3 2 2 3 3 2 3 1 1
4 3 1 4 3 1 3 1 1
5 2 2 4 3 1 3 1 1
6 3 2 4 3 1 3 1 1
7 3 3 4 3 1 3 1 1
8 4 1 5 3 1 2 1 1
9 3 2 5 3 1 2 1 1
10 4 2 5 3 1 2 1 1
11 4 3 5 3 1 2 1 1
12 4 4 5 2 1 2 1 1
13 3 3 NA NA a) 3 a) 2
14 4 4 NA NA a) 3 a) 2
15 5 5 NA NA a) 3 a) 2
16 6 6 NA NA a) 2 a) 2
17 7 7 NA NA a) 1 0 2
18 8 8 NA NA 0 0 0 2
19 6 2 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
20 6 3 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
21 6 4 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
22 6 4 NA 2 b) 2 c) 1
23 6 6 NA 2 b) 2 c) 1
24 8 2 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
25 8 3 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
26 8 4 NA 3 b) 2 c) 1
27 8 4 NA 2 b) 2 c) 1

40
How is SMS delivered in GSM/GPRS network?

• SMS can delivered by two routes

— GSM: via MSC

— GPRS: via SGSN

• Which route is more efficient?

— The SMS delivery via the SGSN is more radio resource efficient than delivery via the
MSC/VLR.

• Who selects the preferred path?

— The preferred delivery path is selected by SMS-GMSC operator.

41
SMS data transfer

– 1. SMSC forwards the SM to an SMS-GMSC , which examines the destination MS address.

– 2. GMSC request info from HLR, which returns MS's current SGSN &| MSC number.
– 3a. If the result contains an MSC number, the SMS-GMSC forwards the SM to the MSC.
– 3b. The MSC then transfers the SM to the MS.
– 4a. If the result contains an SGSN number, the SMS-GMSC forwards the SM to the SGSN.
– 4b. The SGSN then transfers the SM to the MS.

a) MSC address
b) SGSN address

2)
4a) HLR
3a)
MSC
1)

G-MSC SMSC
3b)
4b)

SGSN
42
Roaming example

Visited Operator, Singapore DNS

Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS

BG
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone

BG
HOME
Embassy
Operator
DNS GGSN Intranet
GPRS
HOME
GSMOPERATOR, Finland

43
How does Visited and Home Network interact?

Visited Operator DNS

Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS

BG
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone

BG
HOME
Operator Embassy
DNS GPRS GGSN Intranet
HOME

44
Context Activation for a Roaming User (1)

(1) MS decides to use home APN. embassy.fi.gsmoperator.fi.gprs

(2) The MS sends PDP context activation request to the SGSN with APN.
(2b) Singapore operator’s SGSN checks with HLR if APN requested is permissible.
(3) SGSN sends DNS query to local DNS in Singapore operator’s network.

Visited Operator, Singapore DNS

3
Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS
2
BG
Inter-PLMN
1 GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Embassy
Operator
DNS GGSN Intranet
GPRS
HOME
GSMOPERATOR, Finland 45
Context Activation for a Roaming User (2)

(4) Singapore DNS does not know the IP address, so it forwards the same query it received from the SGSN
to the .gprs level DNS.

(5) .gprs level DNS replies with list of home operator DNS servers.

Visited Operator, Singapore DNS

Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS
5
BG
4
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Embassy
Operator
DNS GGSN Intranet
GPRS
HOME
GSMOPERATOR, Finland
46
Context Activation for a Roaming User (3)

(6) Singapore DNS forwards query to Finnish DNS.

(7) GSMOPERATOR DNS replies with the IP address of the GGSN.

Visited Operator, Singapore DNS

Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS

BG
7
Inter-PLMN
6 GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Embassy
Operator
DNS GGSN Intranet
GPRS
HOME
GSMOPERATOR, Finland
47
Context Activation for a Roaming User (4)

(8) Singapore DNS gives GGSN address to the Singapore SGSN.

(9) SGSN sends homeGGSN a request to create PDP context with the APN.

Visited Operator, Singapore

DNS
8
Singapore
GPRS .GPRS
SGSN Backbone DNS

BG
Inter-PLMN
9 GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Embassy
Operator
DNS GGSN Intranet
GPRS
HOME
GSMOPERATOR, Finland
48
Data flow in a roaming case

• PDP context is active and SGSN sends notification of this to the MS.
• Diplomat can now download e-mail from embassy e-mail server in the embassy intranet.

Visited Operator, Singapore

Singapore
GPRS
SGSN Backbone

BG

Inter-PLMN
Backbone

BG
HOME Embassy
Operator Intranet
GPRS GGSN

GSMOPERATOR, Finland 49
Is this the only way roaming can be done?

• APN in home network is not the only option.

• While attached to the visited network the subscriber could also use
APN provided by the visited network.
• The types of access points allowed in HLR are the following:
— User is allowed to use visited network Access Point

— User can select home or visited Access Point, or

— User needs to use the Access Points in home network

• Connection between the two operators’ GPRS networks can be

either
— through a public data network (PDN) network, such as the Internet

— or through a private inter-PLMN network.

50
Visited or Home GGSN

• Visited GGSN APN advantages

— Faster

— Cheaper?

• Home GGSN
— Home operator offers some (value added or other) service that can be only used via
some specific access point.
— User could be accessing a company intranet that could for security reasons only be
accessed via the home operator access point.
— Intranets do not allow opening of TCP-ports in the company firewall from outside the
intranet. In that case, for example downloading e-mails from a company server via
the Internet is not possible.

51
Roaming, Static IP address

• If user has static IP address: will always use home network GGSN
APN.
Visited Operator

Visited-PLMN GGSN
GPRS
SGSN Backbone

BG
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone

BG
HOME
Always: Operator Internet/
192.100.107.10 GPRS Intranet
GGSN

Access Point

52
Roaming, Dynamic IP address (Home network)

• If home network GGSN allocates dynamic IP address, then MS would request visited
network to activate a context with home network APN.
• Data would flow as in static case.

Visited Operator
Visited-PLMN GGSN
GPRS
SGSN Backbone

BG
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Operator Internet/
IP address changes
GPRS GGSN Intranet

Access Point

53
Roaming: Dynamic IP address (Visited network)

• The user would not have to specify any access point and the
visited network default access point would be used.
• The visited network would allocate a dynamic address to the user.

Visited Operator
Internet
Visited-PLMN GGSN
GPRS
SGSN Backbone
Access Point
BG
Inter-PLMN
GPRS
Backbone
BG
HOME
Operator
x.x.x.x
GPRS GGSN

54
Security related to GPRS

• Authentication:
- SGSN can store max. 10 authentication triplets
- Performed between MS and SGSN
• Ciphering
- Kc ciphering key (from authentication triplet)
- A5/GPRS algorithm (in ME and SGSN), standardised by ETSI
• P-TMSI
- Used to avoid the broadcast of IMSI
- 32 bits, operator specific
• IMEI checking
- Validation of GPRS ME
- Performed between MS and EIR, via SGSN
• Plus IP-related security aspects
- Private IP Addresses in GPRS BB network
- User authentication, VPN (ciphered links over the Internet), private IP
connections between operators, etc.
- Firewalls - screening of packets

55
Charging of GPRS services

Billing System
GTP' Charging gateway

SGSN Nokia GPRS Charging Gateway:

Operator * receives CDRs generated by

IP backbone GTP' SGSN and GGSN

* consolidates and merges CDRs

Border Gateway
GGSN to a suitable format for BS

Inter operator
IP network Internet

56
GGSN charging functions

GGSN CDR (PDP context data): G-CDR

• Start collection:
- PDP context activation
• Stop collection:
- PDP context deactivation
• Collected information e.g.
CG - Traffic volumes
SGSN
uplink/downlink
- QoS negotiated
Operator - Duration
IP backbone - SGSN & GGSN address
- Access Point Name

G-CDRs
GGSN

Internet

57
SGSN charging functions

SGSN CDR (PDP context data): S-CDR

• Start collection:
- PDP context activation
• Stop collection:

S-CDRs - PDP context deactivation

M-CDRs • Collected information e.g.
SMS- - Traffic volumes uplink/downlink
CDRs - QoS requested/negotiated
- Duration
- SGSN & GGSN address
CG
SGSN - Access Point Name

Mobility Management CDR: M-CDR

Operator • Start collection:
IP backbone
- GPRS activation / Incoming SGSN RA update
• Stop collection:
- GPRS deactivation / Outgoing SGSN RA update
Also S-SMO-CDR GGSN
• Collected information
- Location changes
and S-SMT-CDR
generation! Internet

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CG functionality

• CDR collection from GSNs (CG receives the CDRs with GTP')
• Intermediate storage for CDRs
• CDR validation
• CDR consolidation
• CDR formatting
• Adaptation to different CCB System interfaces
• To reduce the CDR processing load of the CCB System

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Legal Interception Gateway

SGSN
National interface

Gn

LIG LEA

Normal Data transfer

Internet
GGSN X.25
Intercepted data transfer

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GPRS Traffic Management

Review Questions

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Review (1/8)

1. Where is the mobility management context established ?

a.              In the MSC
b.             In the SGSN
c.              In the GGSN
2. In each state, Idle, Ready and Standby, which location information
does the system have?
• IDLE: No information about the mobile
• READY: The HLR knows the serving VLR. The serving VLR knows the serving
SGSN and the Location Area, and the serving SGSN knows the Routing Area and
the cell in which the mobile is.
• STANDBY: The difference with the READY state is that the serving SGSN
knows the mobile location at Routing Area level.
3.   In which states does the network not have to page the MS?
a. IDLE and READY
b. READY and STANDBY
c. STANDBY and IDLE

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Review (2/8)

4. After GPRS attach, with the mobile in Ready state, is it possible to send
and receive packets?
• Not before activating a PDP context. With this PDP context an IP address
is assigned to the mobile.

5. Who can initiate the GPRS detach?

a. the MS only
b. the SGSN only
c. both

6. Which new area is used in GPRS compared to GSM? How is it

defined?
• The RAI, Routing Area Identity. RAI= MCC+MNC+LAC+RAC

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Review (3/8)

7. How are the routing areas distributed between the SGSNs and location areas?
• A routing area is always served by just one SGSN. An SGSN can control
several routing areas. A routing area belongs to one location area. A location
area can have several routing areas.
 
8. What kind of 'updates' do we have in GPRS?
• Cell update: Mobile in READY state changes from one cell to another
• Routing area update: Mobile changes from one routing area to another.
— Two types: Intra SGSN and Inter SGSN

9. Which is the main network element that should be put in the

blank?
IMEI checking: EIR
GPRS attach: HLR
GGSN
PDP context activation: __?__
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Review (4/8)

10. Which two kinds of IP addresses are there in GPRS?

• Static IP address: The IP address is assigned to the mobile permanently
(the same in every PDP activation).
• Dynamic IP address: A different IP address is assigned to every PDP context
activation.

11. Which confirms or provides the tunnel ID, IP address, and

charging ID?
a.              SGSN
b.             GGSN
c.              DNS
12. What kind of benefits can an operator acquire from an SGSN and
MSC/VLR interface?

• Efficient usage of radio resources through combined RA/LA update,

combined IMSI/GPRS attach/detach, etc.

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Review (5/8)

13. State two modes that are used for a subscriber to access an external data
network.
• Transparent and non-transparent. The former is a GPRS operator acting as
the ISP. The latter is the external ISP or intranet allocated IP address for the
subscriber.
14. How does a visited SGSN find its home network?
• From the access point name raised by the subscriber.

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Review (6/8)

15. In which cases will the visiting user select or be forced to use the home
GGSN and visited GGSN?
Case 1: Selecting the visited GGSN could be faster to connect to a
public Internet site, but probably more expensive.
Case 2: Selecting the home GGSN could be the only way to connect to
a corporation's network (like intranet), or a cheaper way to connect
to the public Internet.

Answer: (suppose the user is restricted by the HLR to use the home
GGSN) The reason could be:
Case 1: The user has a permanent IP address allocated by the
home GGSN.
Case 2: The home operator would like to control its subscribers.

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Review (7/8)

16. What are the additional GPRS security features?

• Private IP addressing in the GPRS backbone
• Ciphered links and authentication between nodes in the GPRS backbone.
• Screening of packets coming from the external networks.

17. Define the meanings of LEA and LIG.

• LEA- Legal Enforcement Agency. Provides information about a certain pre-
defined target subscriber. This information could be sent or received data,
location information, etc.
• LIG – Legal Interception Gateway. Collects the GPRS data and converts it to
the Legal Enforcement Agency format.
 

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Review (8/8)

 
18. How many routes could an SMSC-GMSC choose to deliver a SMS?
• It can route in the "classic" way toward the MSC or choose the "GPRS" way
and use the SGSN.
19. Which network elements are responsible for collecting CDRs?
Which one provides interface to Customer Care and Billing System?
• SGSN and GGSN are responsible for collecting CDRs. These CDRs are
transferred to the Charging Gateway and then forwarded to the CCBS.

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