What is the difference between PDP Context ID and APN Class?

IoT Modules MC/EM Series
1

What is the difference between PDP Context ID and APN Class?

Is there any relationship between both of them?

Verizon assigns specific APN class for a specific purpose. Is this a part of a standard or it is a carrier specific customization?

2

Hi akn,
The PDP context ID is the ID of the PDP context that is defined on the device.

APN is the access point name, the APN identifies the packet data network(PDN) that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. We can call it is the gateway between mobile network and internet.
The APN is provided by network operator

For Verizon, the apn could be:

  • vzwims : Used for connections to IMS services. Required for TXT messaging.
  • vzwadmin : Used for administrative functions.
  • vzwinternet : Required for general Internet connections.
  • vzwapp : Required for PDA data service
  • vzwcf : Used for connections that must be routed through content filtering.
  • xx.vzwentp : Used for connections to mobile private networks.
    Note ‘xx’ would be replaced by the enterprise MPN identifier.
  • xx.vzwstatic : Used for static IP connections.
    Note ‘xx’ would be replaced by an appropriate static IP pool identifier.

Thanks,

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3

Thank you for your immediate response.
Verizon is using the term “APN class ID” i.e. 1 to 6. Please confirm if it is equivalent to the “PDP Context ID” in the response of “AT+CGDCONT?”
+CGDCONT: 1,“IP”,“vzwinternet”,“0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 2,“IPV4V6”,“vzwadmin”,“0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 3,“IPV4V6”,“vzwinternet”,“0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 4,“IPV4V6”,“vzwapp”,“0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 5,“IPV4V6”,“vzw800”,“0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0
+CGDCONT: 6,“IPV4V6”,“vzwclass6”,“0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0”,0,0,0,0

4

Hi akn,
Verizon has specific configuration, so Sierra also releases the specific firmware for Verizon customer.
Please order correct hardware and update correct firmware for Verizon.
By default, PDP context IP for Verizon firmware is:
• ID=1 with APN=VZWIMS is reserved for IMS in Verizon (SMS over IMS)
• ID=2 with APN=VZWADMIN is reserved for Verizon Administration (SIM provision, OMADM, etc.)
• ID=3 with APN=VZWINTERNET is the default Internet APN in Verizon
• ID=4 with APN=VZWAPP is the default application APN in Verizon

The apn configuration are updated on that specific firmware, so if you are not sure about Verizon services, please use the default configuration.

Thanks,

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5

Thanks you very much for your prompt response.

I have the latest Verizon firmware and EM7455.

Regarding “ID=3 with APN=VZWINTERNET is the default Internet APN in Verizon”. Will it automatically get updated if I will insert a different SIM from Verizon (like a Static IP SIM or a SIM from different region within USA)?

for example, Verizon uses the following APN’s per region (for Static IP address SIM).

  1. ne01.vzwstatic (North East)
  2. nw01.vzwstatic (North West)
  3. so01.vzwstatic (south)
  4. mw01.vzwstatic (Midwest)
  5. we01.vzwstatic (West)

Do I need to hardcode these APNs in my application or AT+CGDCONT? will always provide me the correct APN. (considering the I am intereted only in ID=3)

Can you please confirm that the response of AT+CGDCONT? will always be updated by the network provider and not by user. (if the SIM is already registered with the network).

6

Hi akn,
If you set empty apn in CGDCONT, ME shall check that the entire APN of any PDP context is listed in EFACL before requesting this PDP context activation from the network. If the APN is not present in EFACL, the ME shall not request the corresponding PDP context activation from the network.
If you hardcode APN in CGDCONT command, the ME always uses this APN when attaching to network.

Thanks,

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