Method and apparatus for registering mobile node in a wireless local area network (LAN) environment

A method for registering a mobile node for operation in wireless networks, comprising:

• detecting whether a mobile node which travels among a plurality of networks is connected;
• searching a cache for information on the mobile node whose connection is detected, and retrieving information on the mobile node from the cache;
• and
• registering the information on the mobile node whose connection is detected, as retrieved from the cache, on behalf of the mobile node, with an agent which relays communication between the mobile node and a corresponding agent located in one of the networks.

A computer readable recording medium having embodied thereon a computer program for execution by a host which, when executed by the host, performs:

• detecting whether a mobile node traveling among a plurality of networks is connected;
• searching a cache inside the host for information on the mobile node whose connection is detected;
• and
• registering information on the mobile node whose connection is detected, on behalf of the mobile node with an agent relaying communication between the mobile node and a correspondent agent located in one of the networks.

A wireless network environment deploying mobile IP, comprising:

• a distribution system;
• a first network including at least a wireless access point (AP) and a routing agent arranged in communication with the distribution system, each wireless AP supporting at least a mobile node to transmit and receive wireless information;
• and
• a second network including at least a wireless access point (AP) and a routing agent arranged in communication with the distribution system, each wireless AP supporting at least a mobile node to transmit and receive wireless information;
• wherein each of the first network and the second network is provided with a virtual mobile node mechanism to perform mobile IP functions of the mobile node on behalf of the mobile node as the mobile node moves between the first network and the second network, while maintaining any ongoing wireless communications without interruption.

A virtual mobile node provided at a routing agent installed in each of first and second networks along with an access point (AP) to support mobile IP functions of a mobile node as the mobile node moves between the first network and the second network, while maintaining ongoing wireless communications without interruption, the virtual mobile node comprising:

• a detection unit which detects whether the mobile node traveling between the first and second networks is connected;
• a retrieval unit which searches a cache for information on the mobile node whose connection is detected by the detection unit;
• and
• a registration unit which registers information on the mobile node, with the routing agent to relay communication between the mobile node and the correspondent routing agent located in the second network.