A huge number of studies have been done supporting seamless mobility networks and mobile technologies over the years. The recent innovations in mobile technologies have unveiled another revolution from the static architectural approach for client-server network relationships to more dynamic, and even mobile approaches. Due to the special equipment and infrastructure needed to support network mobility management, it is difficult to deploy such networks beyond the local network coverage without interruption of communications. The purpose of the study was to enhance capacity and network performance of client-server architectures using Mobile IPv6 host-based mobility protocol. The research included four specific objectives that were (i) to evaluate MIPv6 technology and client-server mobility problems and proposed a solution framework, (ii) to design and implement client-server architecture using an optimized but also secure MIPv6 solution in a simulated environment, (iii) to evaluate network Quality of Service of the implemented MIPv6 solution for FTP, HTTP and Video Stream services, and (iv) to implement and evaluate client-server Fast Handover MIPv6 solution for better Quality of Service.
The methodology used by this research involved Network Modeling and Simulation of the proposed network solution using discrete event simulation approach with Objective Modular Network Testbed in C++ (OMNET++) simulation tool that used INET Framework in extension to implement the solution. To collect data, the research used statistical comparative approach between MIPv6 and Fast Handover MIPv6 technologies where the results data were recorded based on dynamic rate selection of different bitrate values based on FTP, HTTP and Video Stream service models. This method was used to separately collect and analyze data on network performance of both MIPv6 and Fast Handover MIPv6 using network performance metrics such as Throughput, Packet Error Rate, Packet Loss Rate, Handover and Packet End-to-End delays. The procedure involved multiple processes from preparation, installation and configuration of the system to results extraction and analysis. To analyze the collected data, Statistical quantitative data analysis was used considering the first order statistics such as mean, or average values. This analysis was used on the recorded results in datasets using different data analysis tools such as Wireshark, Microsoft Excel.
The network design adopted considered the Mobile Node as client and the CN as network server simulated in OMNET++ simulation environment. To make MIPv6 technology more effective and optimized for client-server architectures IP Security and Route Optimization processes were adopted. The adopted design was used for both MIPv6 and FMIPv6 simulation instances. In findings, by measuring performance metrics outputs, a constancy in values for all the metrics demonstrated how important reducing the handover latency was for the overall network performance as Fast Handover MIPv6 implementation process enhanced the overall network performance and ensured a better network QoS than the standard MIPv6. Throughput for instance, performed better in FMIPv6 than in MIPv6 for all services (HTTP, FTP, and Video Stream) through both TCP and UDP protocols. However, implementing MIPv6 did not give solution to unlikely failures in the future.
For specific objective 1, the research concluded that MIPv6 technology provided a convenient approach to implement and solve mobility problems in client-server environment provided that through MIPv6 mobile clients remain connected to the server when moving through different IPv6-based networks. The system designed and implemented in this research successfully addressed objective 2 by ensuring that clients and servers can securely communicate in the mobile environment with optimized packet routing using OMNET++ simulation environment. Network Quality of Service was measure in MIPv6 based on FTP, HTTP and Video Stream service to address specific objective 3. To provide solution to objective 4, network Quality of Service was later configured and evaluated on the same implemented MIPv6 topology. It demonstrated a higher performance level in term of network performance metrics providing better network Quality of Service. In recommendation, to avoid having a client-server network with a single point of failure, future researchers could look for ways to implement MIPv6 technology with more than one HA and with backup techniques for resources for the client to have considerably available Home Network services. Finally, for further security, it was suggested that in future implementations of MIPv6 technology researchers may find a way to also render the server mobile by providing more capabilities in terms of storage, power capacity and mobility to possibly avoid potential and unnecessary security breaches from attackers, and in the process rendering the entire network mobile
