Questions and Answers
Which of the following components is responsible for validating the status of a handset's IMEI?
Which component stores temporary subscriber information, such as the current LA?
Which component facilitates the validation of a subscriber, and maintains A3 and A8 algorithms and the Ki of each home subscriber?
Which component typically controls a Location Area (LA) and manages resources within that LA?
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What is the difference between an MSC and a GMSC?
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What is the purpose of the Mobile Country Code (MCC) in an IMSI?
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How many digits are used for the Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) in the IMSI?
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What is a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) primarily used for?
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Which part of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is NOT transmitted over the air?
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Which component typically contains the user's phone book and last location information?
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What is a characteristic of the Mobile Network Code (MNC)?
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Where can the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) be located on a mobile device?
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What type of number is the TMSI?
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Study Notes
Mobile Network Components
- A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) is an ISDN switch that typically controls a Location Area (LA) and manages resources within that LA, normally controlling 5-10 Base Station Controllers (BSCs).
- A Visitor Location Register (VLR) is a temporary storage database of subscriber data, usually co-located with an MSC.
- A Home Location Register (HLR) is a permanent storage database for subscriber data, with one per network (PLMN), storing temporary subscriber information, such as the current Location Area (LA).
- An Authentication Center (AuC) facilitates validation of subscribers, maintaining A3 and A8 algorithms and the Ki of each home subscriber.
- An Equipment Identity Register (EIR) validates the status of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of a handset, but is optional and not generally used.
- A Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) works like an MSC, but also serves as a "gateway" to other outside networks, such as the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN).
International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
- A 15-digit number that uniquely identifies a subscriber to the GSM network
- Composed of three parts: Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), and Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN)
- MCC: 3 digits, identifies country origin for the subscription
- MNC: 2-3 digits, identifies home GSM network of the mobile subscriber
- MSIN: 9 digits, assigned by the service provider to the SIM card
- The first 5-6 digits (MCC and MNC) make up the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
- A "Smart Card" microprocessor used for authentication and identification
- Stores network-specific information, including:
- Ki, A3, and A8 algorithms (subscriber encryption keys)
- IMSI
- MSISDN
- PIN/Personal Unlocking Key (PUK)
- Preferred Roaming List (PRL)/Barred Roaming List (BRL)
- Phone book
- Last location information or Location Area Code (LAC)
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)
- A 32-bit hexadecimal number assigned by the Visitor Location Register (VLR)
- Used for security purposes to mask the IMSI and minimize its transmission over the air
- Specific to a Location Area
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)
- A 15-digit number consisting of:
- 8-digit Type Allocation Code (TAC)
- 6-digit Serial Number (SN)
- 1-digit Check Digit (CD)
- Can be used to verify the legal production of the handset
- Can be found underneath the battery or by dialing *#06# on the keypad of a GSM phone
- The TAC identifies the make and model of the handset
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Description
This quiz covers the components of a mobile network including MSC, VLR, HLR and their roles in managing resources and storing subscriber data.
