APN (wikipedia)

Access Point Name (APN) is a computer protocol that typically allows a user's computer to access the internet using the mobile phone network. On a technical level it is a configurable network identifier used by a mobile device when connecting to a GSM carrier. The carrier will then examine this identifier to determine what type of network connection should be created, for example: what IP addresses should be assigned to the wireless device, what security methods should be used, and how/or if, it should be connected to some private customer network.[1] More specifically, the Access Point Name (APN) identifies an IP Packet Data Network (PDN), that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. In addition to identifying a PDN, an APN may also be used to define the type of service, (e.g. connection to wireless application protocol (WAP) server, multimedia messaging service (MMS)), that is provided by the PDN. APN is used in 3GPP data access networks, e.g. general packet radio service (GPRS), evolved packet core (EPC).

APN in GSM (http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/appguide_connectcellular_ipconsiderations.p df) An APN determines what IP addresses are assigned to the mobile station, what security methods are used, and how the GSM data network connects to the customers network. APNs are general-purpose and are available to multiple customers or can be customized for particular customers to address unique requirements. The APN essentially terminates the mobile IP session and connects to the customers network. For example: Ebook
http://books.google.com/books? id=PUU_vr_XfV8C&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&dq=PDN+connectivity&source=bl&ots =TL59CHQako&sig=-m-rb8UdkPagPvSGsnD1DITVT8&hl=en&ei=A7gBTsz9F4S5hAeoJCpAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCQ#v=on epage&q=PDN%20connectivity&f=false SAE and the Evolved Packet Core

In 2G/3G Packet Core, the IP network is called Packet Data Network (PDN) In EPS, the IP connection to this PDN is called a PDN connection. Why PDN and not IP network?

PDN connection comprises more than just the basic IP access, QOS, charging and mobility aspects are all parts of PDN connection. If user established a PDN connection to 'Internet PDN', the user can browse websites on the Internet or access services available on the Internet. A terminal may acess a single PDN at a time or have multiple PDN connections open simultaneously. PDN connection is always established when the terminal attaches to the EPS. During the attach procedure, the terminal may provide information about the PDN that user wants to access. The information is carried in a parameter called 'Acess Point Name' (APN). The APN is a character string that contains the reference to the PDN where the desired services are available. The network uses the APN when selecting the PDN for which to set up the PDN connection, the operator defines what APNS are available to a user as part of their subscription. If no APN is defined during attached procedurem network will use a default APN defined in user;s subscription profile.

APN is used to select not only PDN but also the PDN GW providing access to that PDN.

EPS supports different ways to allocate IP address. IP address may be assigned using different protocols depending on what access is used. IP address allocation in 3GPP accesses Method to allocate IPv4 addresses and IPv6 prefixes are different. 2 main options to allocate IPv4 addresses to UE in 3GPP access: 1. IPV4 address is sent to UE as part of attach accept message or Activate PDP Context Accept message. 2. To use DHCPv4. UE does not receive IPv4 address during attach or PDP context activation. UE uses DHCP to request an IP address after attach and PDP context activation is completed. Same way as DHCp works. IPv6 address allocation Only method currently supported in EPS is stateless auto configuration. A /64 IPv6 prefix is allocated for each pDN connection and UE. UE can utilize full prefix and construct IPv6 address by adding an Interface Identifier to the IPv6 prefix.

http://lteuniversity.com/lte_forums/f/59/p/2422/10625.aspx#10625

Step 1) Get APN(name of PDN) through default bearer context activation procedure. Step 2) Get DNS server IP address through protocol configuration options. step 3) From APN get IP address of PDN using DNS (usually DNS procedures; domain name to an IP address resolution)

Good questions. Let me tackle the questions this way. Let's look at a timeline of when the UE powers up. The first thing the UE will do is to do an attach. As part of the attach procedure there will be a default bearer established. Lets assume that the UE selected the IMS APN for this default bearer. Then a default bearer will be established for the IMS APN and the default bearer will be connect to P-GW1. At some point later the UE initiates an additional default bearer to the MMS APN. Even though the UE has a default bearer with PGW1, it does not have one with the MMS APN. So, the UE will establish another default bearer for the MMS APN (and yes it will also be connected to P-GW1). Then, again, time passes and the UE wants to be connect to the Internet APN. The UE will establish a third default bearer to the Internet APN that happens to be via P-GW2.

Ebook

APN: The name used to identify a GPRS bearer service in the GSM mobile network. The APN defines the type of service that is provided in the packet data connection.

PDP context: A term used in the mobile wireless network indicating a logical association between a MS and PDN used to transfer data packets.

Client based vs network based mobility

Mobile IP