In this context, “APN” refers to an “access point name.” Connecting a mobile network to the web requires the use of an Access Point Name (APN). Additionally, an APN may aid in the separation of network traffic. Access points are particularly important for cellular IoT devices since they provide security and specify the kind of network connection the device will get.
Similar to how a single Wi-Fi access point may support many SSIDs, a single cellular tower can support multiple apns, each of which can have its own unique set of security policies and administration controls. While several APNs may be configured on a single IoT device, you must be connected to one APN in order to access the internet, get an IP address, or transmit data. You may connect the same device to many Access Point Names (APNs) simultaneously.
Data sent by a device via an APN is visible to the network, which then uses these packets to decide how to manage the traffic. For instance, firewalls, M2M data routing, and the gateway used to connect to the internet may all be configured uniquely for a single Access Point Name (APN). In addition to your network’s configuration settings, the Access Point Name (APN) you’re using will influence the path your data travels. Finally, the APN connects your smartphone to the larger network. This passageway provides access to the larger network and may include security-related instructions or configurations.
How Does Information In An APN Get Filed Away?
An APN may be recognized by the fact that it follows a standard format and that it clearly separates the network and the operator. Both the network ID and the operator ID may be used to refer to the Mobile Network Operator. Both the MNC and MCC, shorthand for “Mobile Network Code” and “Mobile Country Code,” are typically three-digit strings included inside the operator identification. Access Point Names (APNs) are modified by appending a suffix that identifies a particular data standard. Either GPRS or 3GPP might follow this suffix.
What Characteristics Distinguish A Public APN From A Private One?
Public and private APN connections are the two primary categories. Since there are advantages and disadvantages to each possibility, let’s investigate them more.
Free and open APN
Many mobile network operators (MNOs) provide a public APN to their users, which specify the most basic set of connection settings. It’s tailored to the typical tasks users do while online, and a large number of people often use the same APN. The public APN may include security features, such as a firewall, that prevent unauthorized access from devices on the wider internet. This prevents any device on the network from exchanging data with an unknown device.
Conclusion
The public APN will only offer you with a bare-bones configuration that will provide you access to the network; however, this configuration will not let you to tailor any of the settings or security measures that you would want for an IoT setup. A public APN with a static public IP address will automatically assign an IP address to each device that connects to it. When a device is connected to a network for the first time, it will use this IP address. No IP address will be assigned to the APN unless it is a public APN with a dynamic public IP.