Buffer management for mobile internet protocol
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsMohamed Khalil, Emad A. Qaddoura, Haseeb Akhtar
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Abstract
Disclosed is a buffer management method for a mobile node in a mobile IP telecommunication network. The buffer management method supports a handoff of the mobile node from a first agent of a first network to a second agent of a second network. The method begins upon initiation of the handoff. A first message is sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer any packets being sent to the mobile node. While the buffering is being performed, the handoff may be completed to the second agent. Once the handoff is complete, a second message can be sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the buffered packets to the second agent.
Claims28
A method for supporting a handoff of a mobile node from a first agent of a first network to a second agent of a second network, the method comprising the steps of:
- upon initiation of the handoff, sending a first message to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer at the first agent all packets being sent to the mobile node, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the second agent;
- completing the handoff of the mobile node to the second agent;
- and
- responsive to the completing, sending a second message to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the packets buffered at the first agent to the second agent, wherein the second message is also a part of the registration request protocol.
A computer program product for facilitating a handoff of a mobile node from a first agent to a second agent, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for:
- determining that the handoff is to be initiated;
- before a transmission of a handoff request message, sending a first message to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer at the first agent any packets being sent to the mobile node, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the second agent;
- completing the handoff of the mobile node to the second agent;
- and
- responsive to the completing, sending a second message to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the packets buffered at the first agent to the second agent, wherein the second message is also a part of the registration request protocol.
A computer program product for a new agent of a new network to initiate communication with a mobile node, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for:
- determining that the mobile node is in handoff from an old agent to a new agent;
- sending a first message to the old agent requesting the old agent to buffer at the old agent any packets being sent to the mobile node, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the new agent;
- completing the handoff of the mobile node to the new agent;
- and
- responsive to the completing, sending a second message to the old agent requesting the old agent to forward the packets buffered at the old agent to the new agent, wherein the second message is also a part of the registration request protocol.
A system for supporting a handoff of a mobile node from a first agent of a first network to a second agent of a second network, the system comprising:
- means for sending, before a transmission of a handoff request message, a first message to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer at the first agent any packets being sent to the mobile node, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the second agent;
- means for completing the handoff of the mobile node to the second agent;
- and
- means responsive to completing the handoff for sending a second message to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the packets buffered at the first agent to the second agent, wherein the second message is also a part of the registration request protocol.
A computer program product for facilitating a handoff of a mobile node from a first agent to a second agent, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for:
- determining that the handoff is to be initiated;
- the second agent sending a first message to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer at the first agent any packets being sent to the mobile node, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the second agent;
- completing the handoff of the mobile node to the second agent;
- and
- responsive to the completing, sending a second message to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the packets buffered at the first agent to the second agent, wherein the first message is part of a registration request protocol to the second agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.