A method and system are disclosed for supporting overlapping IP addresses by sharing a mobile node identifier between an IWF and a Foreign Agent in a visited data (e.g., wireless) network. The mobile node identifier is stored in lookup tables associated with the IWF (Mobile Identity table) and the Foreign Agent (Visitor List table). When a data packet travels between the IWF and the Foreign Agent, the mobile node identifier is attached to it. For data packets moving in the reverse Mobile IP traffic direction (from the mobile node), the Foreign Agent uses the mobile node identifier to identify the correct Home Agent destination by finding the corresponding Home Agent address in the Visitor List table. For forward Mobile IP traffic (to the mobile node), the IWF uses the mobile node identifier to identify the correct mobile node destination by finding the corresponding link identifier in the Mobile Identity table.
A method and apparatus for a mobile device (104) to register with a private home agent (106), the method comprising the steps: generating (304) and sending (306) a registration request (700) addressed in the public network (110) to a public address of the private home agent, the request (700) adapted to initiate registration of the mobile device with the private home agent. The mobile device is located within a public network, but belongs to a private network (102) and has a private address. The private home agent is located in the private network and has both a private address and a public address. The request also indicates that the mobile device is in the public network. In preferred form, the request includes an extension (704) that provides this indication. The home agent receives and processes the request, then forwards an appropriate reply (800) back to the mobile device.
A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of managing calls on the network. Stations on a private communications network are identified by an unique private network identification (ID) code or dial in direct (DID) number. Remote communications devices (e.g., cell phones, analog phones, etc.) are virtual client devices connected from a public communications network to the private communications network. One or more DID numbers are shared DID numbers, dedicated for the virtual client devices. Calls from the virtual client devices may be placed to network stations by dialing shorthand (e.g., 5 or fewer digits) numbers. Each call has a dedicated DID number temporarily assigned to it for placing the call as an in network call. Once the call reaches its final destination, the shared DID number is released for temporary assignment to other virtual client device calls.
Methods and systems are provided for facilitating intra-domain mobility. A first network or domain includes a home agent or SIP proxy of a mobile node. A second network includes two or more subnetworks and at least one mobility agent (MA). Each subnetwork includes an associated subnet agent. To communicate, the mobile node first registers with a subnet agent, receives a local care-of-address and a global care-of-address, and then registers with an MA. The mobile node may then provide the global care-of-address to the home agent. The local care-of-address may enable communication with the mobile node without determining a specific route to the mobile node. The global care-of-address received from the subnet agent may include the address of the MA. Accordingly, the mobile node may transition from any of the subnetworks to another subnetwork without communicating to the home agent information about the transition and without communicating to the MA information about a security association between the mobile node and the home agent.
Methods and systems are provided for facilitating intra-domain mobility. A first network or domain includes a home agent or SIP proxy of a mobile node. A second network includes two or more subnetworks and at least one dynamic tunneling agent (DTA). Each subnetwork includes an associated subnet agent. To communicate, the mobile node first registers with a subnet agent, receives a local care-of-address and a global care-of-address, and then registers with a DTA. The local care-of-address received from the subnet agent may enable communication with the mobile node without determining a specific route to the mobile node. The global care-of-address received from the subnet agent may include the address of the DTA with which to register. On registering with the DTA, the DTA may provide the mobile node with a unique, globally reachable global care-of-address, which the mobile node may then forward to a home agent, SIP proxy, or a correspondent node. Accordingly, the mobile node may transition from any of the subnetworks to another subnetwork without communicating to the home agent information about the transition and without communicating to the DTA information about a security association between the mobile node and the home agent.
In an IP-based mobile communications system, the Mobile Node changes its point of attachment to the network while maintaining network connectivity. The present invention improves the attachment of the Mobile Node to the IP mobile communications system by allowing a AAA Broker Server to maintain client information necessary to establish the a secure Mobile Node connection to the home network.
