IP Addressing and Connectivity in IoT and Mobile Networks

Every connected device needs an IP address to communicate on a network.
Both mobile devices and IoT sensors depend on automatic IP assignment.
This process ensures devices can send and receive data reliably, even over wireless links.
Mobile Device Connections
IOT Sensors and its connections based on network type
What is SLAAC?
Duplicate Address Detection (DAD)
Maintaining Connectivity in Mobile and IoT Devices
Roaming Concept
Static IDs Instead of IPs

1. IP Addressing and Connectivity in IoT and Mobile Networks Prepared by: Dr. Osama Alshaki Lecture 5 10/22/2025 1

2. Introduction 10/22/2025 2 Every connected device needs an IP address to communicate on a network. Both mobile devices and IoT sensors depend on automatic IP assignment. This process ensures devices can send and receive data reliably, even over wireless links.

3. IP = “Internet Protocol” 10/22/2025 3 A unique identifier for each device. Used for routing packets across networks. Without an IP address → no communication possible. Example: Sending a message to 192.168.1.10 means “send data to this exact device.”

4. Mobile Device Connections Mobile devices can connect via: Wi-Fi networks (home, office, hotspots) Cellular networks (4G, 5G, LTE) Tethering/Bluetooth (short-range) Each type has its own IP assignment mechanism . 10/22/2025 4

5. Getting IP via Wi-Fi (DHCP Process) Wi-Fi router assigns IP using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ( DHCP ). Steps : Device sends DHCP Discover. Router replies with Offer. Device sends Request. Router confirms with ACK. Example: Phone connects → receives IP 192.168.0.12 10/22/2025 5

6. Getting IP via Mobile Network (4G/5G) 10/22/2025 6 Mobile network core assigns an IP after SIM registration. Uses DHCP or internal IP pools within the operator’s system. IP may be: Private IP (behind NAT, most common) Public IP (for special IoT SIMs)

7. Getting IP via Mobile Network (4G/5G) The device keeps this IP as long as it’s connected to the network. Example : Smartphone gets IP 10.45.16.7 from Maxis 4G network. NAT : the device is inside a private network , sharing a public IP via a router that performs IP translation. 10/22/2025 7

8. IoT Sensors IoT devices connect differently depending on network type: Wi-Fi-based IoT : behaves like phones → gets IP via DHCP. Cellular IoT (NB-IoT, LTE-M): gets IP from operator via SIM. Low-Power Networks (ZigBee, LoRaWAN ): No direct IP on device. Use device IDs , and gateway provides IP-based Internet access. 10/22/2025 8

9. IoT Gateway Role Acts as a bridge between local sensors and the Internet. Gateway itself has an IP (static or dynamic). Converts data from non-IP protocols (ZigBee, LoRa) to IP packets for cloud servers. Example: LoRa sensor → Gateway (IP: 203.22.1.4) → sends data to AWS Cloud. 10/22/2025 9

10. IPv6 and IoT IPv6 allows billions of unique addresses — essential for IoT expansion. Devices can self-configure using SLAAC (Stateless Address Auto Configuration). Reduces need for DHCP servers. Example: Smart light auto-generates IPv6 address from router prefix. 10/22/2025 10

11. What is SLAAC? It is a mechanism in IPv6 that allows devices (like IoT sensors, mobile phones, or laptops) to automatically configure their own IP addresses without needing a DHCP server. Here are the steps: 1. Device Joins the Network When an IPv6-enabled device connects to a network, it listens for Router Advertisement (RA) messages from local routers. 10/22/2025 11

12. What is SLAAC? 2. Router Advertisement (RA) The router periodically broadcasts RA messages (or responds to Router requests) that include: The network prefix (e.g., 2001:db8:abcd:1234::/64) Other configuration flags (like whether DHCPv6 is needed) 10/22/2025 12

13. What is SLAAC? 3. Device Generates Its Own IP The device takes the prefix from the router and appends a unique interface identifier , often based on: Its MAC address (modified EUI-64 format), or A randomly generated number (for privacy reasons) Example: Prefix: 2001:db8:abcd:1234:: Interface ID: 02ff:fe23:4567:89ab IPv6 Address: 2001:db8:abcd:1234:02ff:fe23:4567:89ab 10/22/2025 13

14. Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) Before using the new address, the device performs a DAD check to make sure no other device is using the same IP. If no conflict is found, the device now has: A global unicast IPv6 address A link-local address (always begins with fe80::) 10/22/2025 14

15. Break.. 10/22/2025 15

16. Maintaining Connectivity in Mobile and IoT Devices: Handover, Roaming & Mobile IP Mobile and IoT devices often move across networks — from Wi-Fi to 4G, or between base stations. The challenge: maintain an active connection without losing data. We will explain how handover, roaming, and Mobile IP solve that problem. 10/22/2025 16

17. The Challenge of Mobility Mobile/IoT = changing location and signal. Problems if not managed: Broken sessions (video call drops) Lost data packets Reconnection delays Example: Moving from Wi-Fi to 5G during a video call. 10/22/2025 17

18. The Challenge of Mobility Types of Movement Micro-mobility – Movement inside the same network (e.g., between Wi-Fi access points). Macro-mobility – Movement between different networks or operators (e.g., from Celcom to Maxis). IoT Mobility – Sensors attached to vehicles or drones changing coverage areas. 10/22/2025 18

19. Handover Types Type Description Example Hard Handover “Break before make” – old link cut before new one starts GSM, LTE Soft Handover “Make before break” – connect to new cell before leaving old one CDMA, 5G Horizontal Handover Same tech (Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi) Office roaming Vertical Handover Different tech (Wi-Fi to 5G) Leaving home to 5G outdoors 10/22/2025 19

20. Roaming Concept When device connects to a foreign network outside its home provider. Common in international travel. Home operator and foreign operator share authentication and billing agreements . Device uses temporary network resources but keeps same identity (SIM). Example: Malaysian SIM working in Singapore via StarHub network. 10/22/2025 20

21. Mobile IP Allows device to keep the same IP address while moving across networks. Key elements: Home Agent (HA): Located in home network. Foreign Agent (FA): Located in visited network. Care-of Address (CoA): Temporary address in new location. 10/22/2025 21

22. Mobile IP Operation Device moves to new network → gets Care-of Address . Registers this with Home Agent . Home Agent tunnels packets from old IP → new network. Device continues communicating as if still at home. Example: Smart car moving from Wi-Fi garage → 5G → public hotspot, same cloud session continues. 10/22/2025 22

23. What is IoT Device Mobility? Many IoT devices are not fixed in one place. Examples: Drones capturing environmental data Connected cars sending diagnostics Delivery robots reporting position As they move, their network connections change, yet they must stay connected to the cloud/Internet. 10/22/2025 23

24. The Challenge Devices move between: Wi-Fi hotspots LoRa gateways Cellular base stations Must ensure: Continuous data delivery Minimal reconnection delay Stable identity (same device session) 10/22/2025 24

25. Gateway Switching IoT devices connect to local gateways (e.g., LoRa, ZigBee). When moving, the device connects to the nearest available gateway. Gateways forward data to the cloud. The device ID stays the same even if the gateway changes. Example: A temperature sensor on a delivery truck sends readings through whichever gateway is nearby → all reach the same cloud database. 10/22/2025 25

26. Static IDs Instead of IPs Many IoT networks do not assign permanent IPs. Devices use unique identifiers: LoRa → DevEUI ZigBee → MAC address MQTT → Client ID Gateways or the cloud map these IDs to connections. Mobility handled at the application layer, not IP layer. 10/22/2025 26

27. Why Mobility Matters Enables real-time tracking and control of moving devices. Prevents data loss during motion. Improves system reliability in: Smart logistics Connected vehicles Smart city applications Wearable health devices 10/22/2025 27

28. Intro to IPv4 & IPv6 10/22/2025 28 Basics of Networking -> IP Address Assignment

29. Thank You Q & A 10/22/2025 29