Abstract: Communicating packets along a bearer path includes receiving a home network address and a visited network address at an access terminal. The home network address corresponds to a home anchored bearer path anchored at a home network of the access terminal. The visited network address corresponds to a visited anchored bearer path anchored at a visited network. The access terminal determines whether to use the home anchored bearer path or the visited anchored bearer path, and communicates packets using the home network address or the visited network address in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: A method includes a network originating a QoS reservation message and communicating the network-originated QoS message through a radio access network (RAN) from an access gateway (AGW) to an access terminal (AT). The network-originated reservation message does not cause any network resource reservation by itself, but causes the AT to initiate a network resource reservation according to one or more parameters in the network-originated QoS reservation message. Accordingly, an existing network infrastructure supporting AT-originated QoS reservation may support network-originated QoS reservation (or proxied QoS) without any updates to an access-network infrastructure, such as the RAN. The method includes, in response to the network-initiated QoS reservation message, communicating a reservation confirmation through the RAN from the AT to the AGW. The reservation confirmation whether that the QoS reservation was successful.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a system for implementing handover of a mobile IP session in a cellular communication network generally includes a processor and a memory for storing one or more context information rules associated with an access terminal. The processor is operable to receive a registration request message from the target radio network controller and in response to receipt of the registration request message, transmit a context information request message to query context information from an anchor IP gateway. The processor is also operable to receive a context information response message from the anchor IP gateway and apply the context information response message to the mobile IP connection. The context information response message including at least one context information rule that is associated with the access terminal.

Abstract: Particular embodiments provide an optimal allocation of a bearer manager or home agent. In one embodiment, a message is received from a mobile node requesting access to a visiting network that is different from a home network for the mobile node. An authentication request is sent to the home network requesting authentication for access. The authentication request indicates that a home agent has not been assigned. The home AAA server then sends a response that indicates the visiting AAA server can assign a home agent for the mobile node. The visiting AAA server then assigns a home agent that is optimally determined. The visiting home agent is different from a home agent that is found in the mobile node's home network. When a registration request is received, an IP gateway may send the registration request to the visiting home agent, which may not be sent back to the home network.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing mobility in an Internet protocol (IP) network environment is provided that includes a cell site element operable to receive an address resolution protocol (ARP) signal from a base station. The ARP signal is associated with a selected mobile station that can roam between networks. In response to the signal, the cell site element evaluates a table that identifies a plurality of mobile stations and if the selected mobile station is not present in the table, then a mobility registration request is generated and communicated to a next destination.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing security in a network environment that includes receiving a flow that propagates through an access gateway. The flow is initiated by an end user associated with the flow and propagates through a network. The method also includes receiving accounting information indicative of the termination of the flow. In response, tearing down of the communication associated with the flow is initiated.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments enable a Mobile Node to select from or prioritize two or more Foreign Agents using information dynamically provided to the Mobile Node. When a Foreign Agent detects a Mobile Node, it composes an agent advertisement having one or more fields including one or more parameter values. The Foreign Agent then sends the agent advertisement to the Mobile Node. The Mobile Node may then select one of the Foreign Agents, as well as prioritize the Foreign Agents, using the parameter values.

Abstract: A service header is generated by an edge device (e.g., a gateway or a router) configured for providing a prescribed service operation for a prescribed network service for a received IP packet. The received IP packet includes an IP payload and an IP header having a protocol field specifying an original protocol of the IP payload. The edge device generates an encapsulated payload from the IP payload according to the prescribed network service, and generates a service header that identifies the prescribed network service and the original protocol of the IP payload. The edge device creates a modified IP header from the IP header and that identifies the service header in the corresponding protocol field, and outputs a modified IP packet including the modified IP header, the service header, and the encapsulated payload.

Abstract: A method of load balancing network access requests comprises receiving a network access request from a serving node linked to a radio access network. The network access request identifies a mobile node receiving wireless service from the radio access network and identifies a data network to which the mobile node has requested access. The network access request requests a communication channel with the serving node for transporting data communications between the mobile node and the data network. The method further comprising determining one or more gateways providing access to the data network, selecting one of the gateways, and forwarding the network access request to the selected gateway.

Abstract: Supporting communication sessions at a mobile node includes determining at a mobile node an address for one or more interior network elements of a network system. A interior network element is distinct from an edge network element of the network system, and is operable to establish a communication session. An address for an interior network element is inserted into packets. The packets are sent from the mobile node to the interior network element to communicate directly with the interior network element. The communication session is established using the interior network element.

Abstract: Providing a quality of service for a mobile node includes facilitating a communication session for the mobile node. A quality of service decision factor of a context of the communication session is established. A quality of service associated with the quality of service decision factor is identified. Whether to provide the quality of service to the mobile node for the context is determined.

Abstract: Requesting a network resource includes facilitating a communication session between a mobile node and an endpoint. A trigger event is received at a first anchor point associated with the mobile node. The trigger event indicates that reservation of a network resource is being requested for the communication session. A second anchor point associated with the endpoint is identified. Reservation of the network resources for the communication sessions is initiated over a tunnel between the first anchor point and the second anchor point.

Abstract: Providing a mobility key for a communication session for a mobile station includes facilitating initiation of the communication session. A master key for the communication session is established, where the master key is generated at an authentication server in response to authenticating the mobile station. A mobility key is derived from the authentication key at an access node, where the mobility key is operable to authenticate mobility signaling for the communication session.

Abstract: Forwarding a packet includes facilitating a communication session for a mobile node. A packet is identified as received from the mobile node. One or more labels are added to the packet. A subscriber label of the one or more labels uniquely identifies the mobile node for the communication session. The packet is forwarded to a gateway. The gateway is operable to uniquely identify the mobile node from the subscriber label.

Abstract: Providing a multicast service to a mobile node includes receiving a first request to join a multicast group from a first cell site. The first request requests that a first mobile node be permitted to join the multicast group. A first multicast source operable to provide content to the first mobile node is identified. The multicast group and the first multicast source are associated to yield a first group-source combination. A first key is assigned to the first group-source combination, and the first key is provided to the first cell site.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method includes determining, at a base station, at least one usability factor providing a relative measure of the desirability of receiving control of a mobile unit. The method also includes communicating, from a base station to a remote controller, the determined at least one usability factor for comparison to at least one usability factor of another base station as determined at the other base station and communicated to the remote controller. The method also includes taking control, by the base station, of the mobile unit in response to receiving a signal from a controller to take control of the mobile unit in response to comparison of the controller of the at least one usability factor determined by the base station and the at least one usability factor determined by the other base station.

Abstract: Caching content includes receiving at a cell site a content request for content. The cell site is associated with a cell, and the content request is received from a mobile node present in the cell. The content is retrieved in response to the content request. The content is cached at the cell site and sent to the mobile node. One or more recipient cell sites are identified. The content is distributed to the one or more recipient cell sites while the mobile node is present in the cell.

Abstract: Obtaining neighborhood information for a cell includes establishing the presence of a mobile node in a first cell having a first cell site. A communication session for the mobile node is facilitated. Neighborhood information is determined in response to facilitating the communication session. The neighborhood information describes a second cell having a second cell site. The neighborhood information is recorded in a neighborhood information record.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual private network by home agent in a mobile IP environment includes providing a home agent operable to receive a registration request from a foreign agent and negotiate conditions of attachment of a mobile node to the foreign agent and further operable to store an IP address of the foreign agent in response to the negotiated conditions. The method also includes receiving, at the home agent, from the foreign agent, a registration request for the mobile node. The method also includes determining, by the home agent, a virtual private network membership of the mobile node based on a characteristic associated with the mobile node. The method further includes mapping the mobile node to an identifier associated with the home agent and transmitting the mapping to the foreign agent. The identifier is indicative of the virtual private network membership of the mobile subscriber.

Abstract: Facilitating node mobility includes facilitating a communication session for a mobile node communicated along a first communication path. A first anchor point manages context information for the communication session, where the context information comprises information for supporting the communication session. A command to transfer the context information to a second anchor point is received from a home agent. The second anchor point is operable to facilitate communication of the communication session along a second communication path. The context information is transferred in response to the command.