Establishing an IP session between a host using SIP and a device without an IP address

A method of setting up an Internet Protocol (IP) session between a host using a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and a device without an IP address, the method including the steps of:

• first receiving, via an IP connection, a SIP INVITE message that includes a device identifier corresponding to the device;
• parsing the SIP INVITE message to obtain said device identifier and preparing a message for the device that includes said device identifier and encapsulates said SIP INVITE message;
• delivering said message to the device over a non-IP connection;
• establishing, responsive to said step of delivering, a PDP context including a device IP address for the device;
• receiving an acknowledgment of said SIP INVITE message from the device, said acknowledgment including said device IP address;
• and
• forwarding said acknowledgment to the host.

An apparatus for enabling the establishment of an Internet Protocol (IP) session between a host using a session initiation protocol and a device without an IP address, the apparatus comprising in combination:

• a network interface for receiving, via an IP connection, a session request that includes a host contact corresponding to the host and a device identifier corresponding to the device;
• a controller, coupled to said network interface, for
• parsing the session request to determine said device identifier;
• preparing a message for the device that includes said device identifier and said session request, and
• presenting said message to said network interface, said message to be delivered to the device via a non-IP connection and to result in the device obtaining a device IP address and sending an acknowledgment of the SIP session request that includes said device IP address.