Mobility management for a multimedia mobile network

Apparatus for tracking locations of wireless mobile user stations in a packet-based multiaccess communications system, comprising:

• a network node configured for wireless connection with the mobile user stations and for storing a database including information pertaining to the mobile user stations associated with the network node, the information including entries for each mobile user station, each entry including at least a host name, an identifier, and an address associated with the mobile user station, the address being a combination of an identifier associated with a network node with which the mobile user station is associated and the identifier associated with the mobile user station;
• wherein the network node is further configured for storing addresses associated with packets of mobile user stations routed through the network node over a predetermined time period.

A method for use in a network node for tracking locations of wireless mobile user stations in a packet-based multiaccess communications system, comprising the steps of:

• storing a database including information pertaining to the mobile user stations associated with the network node, the information including entries for each mobile user station, each entry including at least a host name, an identifier, and an address associated with the mobile user station, the address being a combination of an identifier associated with a network node with which the mobile user station is associated and the identifier associated with the mobile user station, wherein the network node does not employ additional address information to direct a packet from one mobile user station to another mobile user station;
• and
• updating the database when a mobile user station becomes associated with another network node or a new mobile user station becomes associated with the network node.