Method and apparatus for address allocation in GPRS networks that facilitates end-to-end security

A method for assigning a network address in a General Packet Radio System (GPRS)-based communications network, the method comprising:

• receiving an Activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Request message at a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of the GPRS-based communications network from a mobile station of the GPRS-based communications network, the Activate PDP Context Request message having an APN field containing information relating to a request for one of a private network address and a public network address;
• and
• sending an Activate PDP Context Accept message to the mobile station containing information assigning one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Activate PDP Context Request message.

A method for assigning a network address in a General Packet Radio System (GPRS)-based communications network, the method comprising:

• receiving a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Request message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) at Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), the Create PDP Context Request Message having an APN field containing information relating to a request for one of a private network address and a public network address for a mobile station of the GPRS-based communications network;
• assigning one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Create PDP Context Request message and
• sending the Create PDP Context Response message from the GGSN to the SGSN containing the information assigning one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Create PDP Context Request message.

A method for assigning a network address in a General Packet Radio System (GPRS)-based communications network, the method comprising:

• receiving a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Request message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) at Border Gateway (BG), the Create PDP Context Request Message having an APN field containing information relating to a request for one of a private network address and a public network address for a mobile station of the GPRS-based communications network;
• assigning one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Create PDP Context Request message and
• sending the Create PDP Context Response message from the BG to the SGSN containing the information assigning one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Create PDP Context Request message.

A method for requesting an assignment of a network address in a General Packet Radio System (GPRS)-based communications network, the method comprising:

• sending an Activate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Request message to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of the GPRS-based communications network from a mobile station of the GPRS-based communications network, the Activate PDP Context Request message having an APN field containing information relating to a request for one of a private network address and a public network address;
• and
• receiving at the mobile station an Activate PDP Context Accept message containing information relating to an assignment of one of a private network address and a public network address to the mobile station based on the information contained in the APN field of the Activate PDP Context Request message.