Abstract: A mobile communication network comprises a plurality of access nodes, wherein each access node allocates mobile station identifiers to mobile stations from an assigned group of mobile station identifiers. The mobile station identifiers in each group have a common property that identifies the corresponding access node. The mobile station identifier may be used, for example, to locate session information for a mobile station when a mobile station moves between access nodes.

Abstract: In a mobile communication network comprising a plurality of access nodes, session information for a communication session is stored in one access node and may be requested by a peer access node. A requesting access node determines the location of session information based on the mobile station identifier associated with the communication session. If the session information is transferred to the requesting node, the requesting node may allocate a new mobile station identifier to the mobile station for the communication session.

Abstract: A hybrid test bed mixes simulated and actual wireless communication network entities in a real-time packet data simulation. In at least one embodiment, the test bed supports end-to-end simulation for a packet data application running on a mobile station simulator. The test bed provides a realistic assessment of that application's real-time performance by constraining packet data transmissions from a radio base station simulator to the mobile station simulator according to peak data throughput estimates and mobility event processing determined from a detailed wireless communication network simulation. Additionally, the test bed includes or is associated with a graphical display system providing real-time performance information.