HLR/VLR/AuC

The HLR (Home Location Register) is a network database that stores and manages all details of each mobile phone subscriber that is registered in the corresponding GSM core network. Specifically, the HLR is the location register to which an MS identity is assigned for record purposes.

The VLR (Visitor Location Register) is a customer database that temporarily stores subscription information for the visiting customers (called roaming). While the VLR holds information on roaming, it holds information on all customers that use the system at the current time including those at home location.

The AuC ( Authentication Center ), commonly a part of the HLR, is a protected database that is used in the security data management for the authentication of subscribers. The secret key used in each SIM card is stored in the AuC.