HLR and VLR in mobile computing, as discussed on Javatpoint, are fundamental components in the architecture of mobile networks. The Home Location Register (HLR) is a central database that stores permanent subscriber information, including user profiles, service subscriptions, and authentication details. The Visitor Location Register (VLR) is a temporary database that handles information about subscribers currently roaming outside their home network area. The VLR communicates with the HLR to obtain and update subscriber information, ensuring proper call routing and service delivery while the subscriber is in a different network region.
What is HLR and VLR in mobile computing?
HLR (Home Location Register) and VLR (Visitor Location Register) are crucial elements in mobile networks. The HLR is a central repository for storing subscriber information such as personal details, service plans, and current location. It manages authentication, call routing, and service provisioning. The VLR, on the other hand, temporarily manages information about subscribers who are roaming away from their home network. It stores details like the subscriber’s current location and temporary authentication data, and it interacts with the HLR to update and retrieve necessary information for network operations.
HLR (Home Location Register) and VLR (Visitor Location Register) play significant roles in call routing and roaming. When a subscriber makes or receives a call, the VLR handles the call routing within the roaming area by interacting with the HLR to obtain subscriber information and authentication details. During roaming, the VLR updates the HLR with the subscriber’s current location, ensuring that calls and messages are properly directed to the subscriber, regardless of their location relative to their home network.
Handoff, also referred to as handover, in the context of Javatpoint, is the process by which an ongoing call or data session is transferred from one cell tower or base station to another without interrupting the service. This process ensures that a mobile device maintains continuous connectivity and service quality while moving between different coverage areas or cells within the network.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a widely used 2G mobile communication standard that provides digital voice and text services. It employs Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to manage frequency channels and enable multiple users to share the same channel by dividing it into time slots. GSM is known for its reliability and global reach, and it serves as the foundation for many subsequent mobile network technologies.