What are the 3 functions of network access identifier? The NAI is to identify a mobile user or terminal, regardless of the user’s current location and how many IP addresses the terminal may have. How can it help the data?
3 Functions of Network Access Identifier
The 3 Functions of the Network Access Identifier are as follows:
- a string of characters or numbers that are to identify the user for authentication purposes on a network.
- composed of the Username and Domain.
- can be an identifier for routing packets in the network.
A mobile node (MN) is a node that can move freely in the mobile communication system. Also, a mobile node can be a portable telephone, a device that has wireless capability, or any other device with wireless connectivity to the network.
Mobile nodes are by their Mobile Node Identifier (MNID), which is a global identifier that carries no geographical meaning.
A fixed node is a node that does not move freely in the mobile communication system. Also, a fixed node can be a user device (e.g., a computer) that has the wireless capability but cannot move freely in the mobile communication system.
A fixed node is by its Home Address (HoA), which is a global address that carries no geographical meaning. It is also known as Care-of Address or CoA.
Goals and Usage
The purpose of the NAI is to provide a globally unique, locally relevant identifier for mobile users. This allows users and applications to remain independent of the location of the mobile node.
The NAI allows mobile nodes to move freely within a mobile communication system while retaining their identity. Also, allowing users to maintain a consistent identity.
A user’s NAI is independent of the user’s current location within the mobile system. Thus, it allows users to carry their identities with them as they move throughout the system. Because the NAI is independent of location, it can be in both homes and visited networks.
The NAI is not related to the user’s IP address, but it can be to map an IP address to an NAI. Thus, the NAI can be to support mobility services, including Mobile IPv4, Mobile IPv6, and Network Mobility.
Advantages
There are several advantages to using the NAI. They are as follows:
The NAI can be in conjunction with the Mobile IP Internet Protocol (IP) mobility. Also, the NAI is a lightweight identifier because it does not require any protocol support.
The NAI does not have any geographical meaning. Also, can be a global identifier regardless of the user’s location.
Security Considerations
The NAI has several security issues. The following are the security issues:
The NAI can be a tracking identifier that identifies a user’s location. Also, the NAI can be a trusted third party that provides information about the user’s location.
The NAI can be to support some malicious attacks. Such as eavesdropping, message insertion, message deletion, and man-in-the-middle attack.
There is no encryption of the NAI exchange between the mobile node and the home agent. Thus, this can lead to security issues if an attacker can intercept it.
Conclusion
The Network Access Identifier (NAI) is an identifier for a mobile node. It identifies the home domain and the user of the node.