Avoiding PPP time-outs during IPCP negotiations

An apparatus for extending a protocol synchronization period between a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) client and a PPP server, wherein the PPP sewer is located on a wireless communication device, the apparatus comprising:

• means for generating a negative acknowledgment message at the PPP sewer in response to an Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP) configuration request from the PPP client, wherein the IPCP configuration request comprises a requested IP address parameter, wherein the generating comprises including supplemental IPCP information instead of an IP address in response to the requested IP address parameter and deliberately excluding an IP address in order to extend the protocol synchronization period, wherein the supplemental IPCP information comprises a type of address different from a potentially valid IP address assignable to the PPP client for establishing a PPP communication link;
• and
• means for generating an acknowledgement message at the PPP server in response to the IPCP configuration request from the PPP client if the PPP server has received all required parameters to complete the protocol synchronization period.

A computer-implemented method for extending a protocol synchronization period between a Point-to-Point (PPP) client and a PPP server, comprising:

• engaging the PPP client in an Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP) negotiation to obtain IPCP parameters operable in a PPP communication link based on an initial configuration request message received from the PPP client, wherein the initial configuration request message comprises initial IPCP parameters comprising an initially-requested IP address;
• and
• triggering the PPP client to generate subsequent configuration request messages comprising the initially-requested IP address based on corresponding negative acknowledgement messages excluding an IP address and including supplemental IPCP information instead of the IP address in order to extend the protocol synchronization periods, wherein the supplemental IPCP information comprises a type of address different from a potentially valid IP address assignable to the PPP client for establishing a PPP communication link.