![user plane traffic qxdm user plane traffic qxdm](https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*46Lv976kLXTPGtAWeuSGTg.png)
3G takes a different approach, keeping a large amount of state at the obligatory nodes in its “core network,” which explicitly communicate by signaling procedures defined by the 3GPP. The TCP/IP stacks largely follow two principles: “keep it simple, stupid” (KISS) and the end-to-end principle, which essentially means to restrict the protocols to the necessary bare-minimum and keep state only in the end systems. A “3G” network (a term synonymous for the typical type of cellular network used today) is very distinct from typical wired networks as it must provide, amongst other things, mobility and authentication in its core specifications rather than as optional on-top services as is typically used in the Internet. But being packet switched does not mean that it shares a lot of similarity with a typical wireline Internet protocol stack and network infrastructure. These cellular networks are usually based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications which have evolved from the circuit switched Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network into the fully packet switched Long Term Evolution (LTE) currently being rolled out. Even if there is no wired access nearby you can rely on WiFi hotspots and cellular networks for wide-area coverage. The Internet has reached ubiquity some time ago. We find signs of user devices putting burden on the core network through their behavior.
![user plane traffic qxdm user plane traffic qxdm](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbKBSIn_2so/Tz9wRF50ZwI/AAAAAAAARH4/-ZF-n6jL590/s640/Los+Angeles+International+ATC+tower+2.jpg)
Based on the results thereof we propose a definition of load at the GGSN and create an initial load queuing model. In an investigation of core network data we take a look at statistics related to GTP tunnels and their signaling. In contrast to most contributions in this field, our focus does not lie on the wireless or user-oriented parts of the network, but on signaling in the core network. This paper takes an exploratory look on control plane signaling in a mobile cellular core network.