Support for multi-homing protocols using transient registration and expanded binding revocation messages

A method for registration of a mobile node comprising:

• receiving a registration request message at a local mobility anchor relating to the mobile node on a first foreign network, said registration request message including a mobile node identifier, an access type identifier that indicates a communication access type used to connect the mobile node, a handover indicator that specifies whether the new registration request is associated with a handover to a new access type on the first foreign network or a handover to a second foreign network, and an interface identifier that indicates a specific access interface being used to connect the mobile node;
• transmitting a registration response from the local mobility anchor with a network prefix based on a comparison of the information received in the registration request message against information on a cache entry table associated with the local mobility anchor and depending on whether the handover to the second foreign network is detected or handover to new access type on said foreign network is detected;
• transmitting a revocation request message from the local mobility anchor to a mobile access gateway on the first foreign network with an expanded trigger information field to be used by the mobile access gateway to determine if network resources allocated to the mobile node should be revoked and if so, the manner of revoking the network resources that supported connectivity to the mobile node.

A communications network comprising:

• a home network having a local mobility agent coupled to one or more foreign networks, each foreign network having a mobile access gateway that is connected to one or more mobile nodes;
• the local mobility agent having a cache entry table to maintain information relating to said one or more mobile nodes connected to said each foreign network;
• said local mobility agent configured to provide information for mobile node connectivity in response to a registration request message received by the local mobility agent based on a comparison of information received in the registration request message against the information on the cache entry table, said registration request message including a mobile node identifier, an access type identifier that indicates a communication access type used to connect the mobile node to at least one of the one or more foreign networks, a handover indicator that specifies whether the registration request message is associated with a handover to a new access type on a first foreign network to which one of the one or more mobile nodes is connected or a handover to a new foreign network, and an interface identifier that indicates a specific access interface being used to connect the mobile node to the one or more foreign networks, and
• said local mobility agent transmitting a revocation request message to a mobile access gateway on the first foreign network with an expanded trigger information field to be used by the mobile access gateway to determine if network resources allocated to the mobile node should be revoked and if so, the manner of revoking the network resources that supported connectivity to the mobile node.