Dynamic address assignment for wireless devices accessing packet-based wired networks

An apparatus for assigning a packet routing address to a wireless device accessing a wired subnet, the apparatus comprising:

• means for identifying an attempt by said wireless device to establish a wireless link with a base station serviced by said wired subnet;
• means for registering a subnet packet routing address corresponding to said wireless device upon identifying said attempt, wherein said wired subnet is designated as a home domain associated with said wireless device, said home domain being dynamically alterable according to a location of said wireless device,
• wherein said subnet packet routing address is utilized to correspond with said wireless device for so long as said wireless link is maintained with any base station serviced by said wired subnet;
• means for discerning a handoff of said wireless device to a base station serviced by a second wired subnet, said second wired subnet being a foreign domain;
• and
• means for registering a second subnet packet routing address corresponding to said wireless device,
• wherein said second subnet packet routing address is utilized as a care-of address for said wireless device for so long as said wireless link is maintained with any base station serviced by said second wired subnet.

In a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, a method of assigning a packet routing address to a mobile device, said method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a plurality of available packet routing addresses in storage at said DHCP server;
• assigning one of said plurality of available packet routing addresses as a mobile device address when said mobile device initiates a request for said packet routing address from said DHCP server;
• designating a wired subnet as a home domain associated with said wireless device, said home domain being dynamically alterable according to a location of said wireless device,
• utilizing said mobile device address for packet delivery for so long as said mobile device is serviced by any wireless base station serviced by said DHCP server;
• discerning a handoff of said wireless device to a base station serviced by a second wired subnet, said second wired subnet being a foreign domain;
• registering a second subnet packet routing address for said wireless device;
• and
• utilizing said second subnet packet routing address as a care-of address for said wireless device for so long as said wireless link is maintained with any base station serviced by said second wired subnet.