Efficient handover of media communications in heterogeneous ip networks using handover procedure rules and media handover relays

A method for supporting handover of a media session using a media handover relay, the method comprising the media handover relay:

• storing a first value, wherein the first value is associated with a media packet;
• receiving a first media stream from a first IP address;
• determining a second value at least in part using the first media stream;
• comparing the first value with a second value;
• and,
• sending a second media stream to a second IP address, wherein the media handover relay sends at least one packet in the second media stream after comparing the values, and wherein the second media stream includes at least a portion of the first media stream.

A system for supporting handover of a media session, the system comprising:

• a first port number assigned as a destination port number in a first media stream, and assigned as a source number in a second media stream;
• a second port number assigned as a destination port number in a third media stream, and assigned as a source port number in a fourth media stream;
• a buffer operable for at least one of:
• recording a first portion of the first media stream, wherein the first portion is included in the fourth media stream after receiving at least one packet in the third media stream;
• recording a second portion of the third media stream, wherein the second portion is included in the second media stream after receiving at least one packet in the first media stream;
• and
• a database for storing a value, wherein the value is used at least in part to determine that an authentication message is valid, wherein at least one packet in one of the second media stream and the fourth media stream is sent after determining the authentication message is valid.