Abstract: The present invention solves these problems with a new proxy binding update request and proxy binding acknowledgment messages having new indicators and identification information. Namely, the home agent/local mobility anchor will exchange proxy binding update messages and proxy binding acknowledge messages that include information such as mobile node identification (MN-ID), home network prefix (HNP), but can also include selective information fields such as, access type, handover indicator (HO), and interface identification (interface ID) By including new access type, indicator, and identification information, the local mobility anchor can respond to a binding update request message with a better understanding of the new connectivity request from the mobile node.

Abstract: A SIP header reduction protocol operating on a communication network to compress the SIP header fields on SIP control messages used to initiate a SIP communication session. The new protocol is implemented on the mobile use equipment (UE) (301) and P-CSCF proxy SIP server (302). The prior SIGCOMP compression dictionary is used to compress those header field parameters defined by the SIGCOMP dictionary. A new 3G Dictionary is implemented with header field parameters for several wireless specific data elements and parameters necessary to access various wireless technologies and services which are missing from the SIP/SDP based SIGCOMP dictionary. Finally, an Encoding Assistant (EA) (310, 355) function is implemented on the UE and P-CSCF that operates a standard encoding and decoding of SIP message header fields to reduce those SIP header fields that are dynamic over time but are essentially static in terms of most user communication.

Abstract: The present invention solves communication disruption problems during the hand-off transition period by using a pre-handoff registration of a new foreign agent on behalf of the mobile node The pre-handoff registration message should: (1) identify itself as a pre-hand off registration message, (2) indicate direction of traffic for the pre-handoff registration time period, and (3) specify a lifetime or time period when the pre-handoff registration request will continue to be considered valid The local mobility anchor will accept traffic using the pre-handoff registration care-of address depending on the directionality indicator, but the communication traffic to or from the mobile node will not be disrupted during the transition period. Because the care-of address for the mobile node on the new foreign network can be used to direct communication traffic to or from the mobile node during this transition time period, no disruption of service will be encountered.

Abstract: The present invention supports a communication protocol for transmission of information packets between a mobile node and a virtual private network. Information packets are encapsulated and decapsulated along the route as the information packet is forwarded among the various networks on its path to the destination address; either the mobile node on a foreign network or a correspondence node on a virtual private network. A home agent on the virtual private network supports transmitting the information packets, and the information packets are transmitted from the virtual private network from the home agent or a virtual private network gateway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to selectively negotiate different delivery styles for different types of packets sent from the Mobile Node to the Foreign Agent, which will allow the Mobile Node to negotiate a delivery style that will permit the Foreign Agent to transmit certain selected outbound traffic directly without reverse tunneling that traffic back to the home network. Specifically, the present invention allows the Foreign Agent to distinguish between certain types of BC/MC packets that are designated to be processed and routed to their destinations by the Foreign Network directly, as opposed to reverse tunneling the outbound traffic from the Foreign Agent back to the Home Agent on the home network. By selecting processing by the Foreign Network, the efficiency of the system will improve because the transmission of outbound traffic and inbound responses will not need to be tunneled through the Home Network.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the AAA infrastructure to dynamically allocate the various parameters needed to establish the security association between the Foreign Agent and the Home Agent. The present invention uses the AAA server as a central entity to dynamically generate and distribute the chosen security association parameters needed to support the Foreign Agent and Home Agent security association based on a request from the Foreign Agent. The AAA server can also dynamically assigns a unique SPI value to the Foreign Agent and Home Agent pairs. The various parameters that can be allocated in the present invention include a FA-HA shared secret key or a public/private key pair, an authentication algorithm and mode, a FA-HA secret key lifetime, and security parameter index or security index values. The present invention also can assist in making sure that the Foreign Agent and the Home Agent stay synchronized with respect to their security association.

Abstract: Provided is a method of providing secure communication between an initiator and a responder in a communication network. The method includes presenting a registration request with one or more proposals for dynamically establishing a security association between the initiator and the responder, and receiving a registration response indicating whether any of the one or more proposals have been accepted for the security association.

Abstract: A key exchange for a network architecture. A mobile node that roams over a foreign domain transmits a registration request to a home domain using the foreign domain. The identity of the mobile node within the registration request is encrypted. The home domain receives the registration request and decrypts the mobile node identity. The home domain generates a registration reply that includes encryption keys for encrypting information to be transmitted between and among the home domain, the foreign domain, and the mobile node.

Abstract: A fast handover protocol standard implemented on WiMAX networks integrating Internet protocol fast handover messaging. A standard for performing handover in four scenarios is offered with an embodiment for the message flow to perform the handover. The four scenarios include a mobile subscriber station initiated predictive hand-off, a network initiated predictive hand-off, a mobile subscriber station initiated reactive hand-off, and a network initiated reactive hand-off. In general, Internet Protocol control messages for fast hand-off or handover are used on the WiMAX network. Fast binding and fast binding acknowledge messages are exchanged between two WiMAX access networks in all four scenarios. Other messages used include hand-off initiate, hand-off acknowledge, proxy router advertisement, session information request, and release resources Internet Protocol control messages are integrated with WIMAX control messages to perform the fast handover protocol.

Abstract: A SIP header reduction protocol operating on a communication network to compress the SIP header fields on SIP control messages used to initiate a SIP communication session. The new protocol is implemented on the mobile use equipment (UE) (301) and P-CSCF proxy SIP server (302). The prior SIGCOMP compression dictionary is used to compress those header field parameters defined by the SIGCOMP dictionary. A new 3G Dictionary is implemented with header field parameters for several wireless specific data elements and parameters necessary to access various wireless technologies and services which are missing from the SIP/SDP based SIGCOMP dictionary. Finally, an Encoding Assistant (EA) (310, 355) function is implemented on the UE and P-CSCF that operates a standard encoding and decoding of SIP message header fields to reduce those SIP header fields that are dynamic over time but are essentially static in terms of most user communication.

Abstract: The present invention supports a generalized link-layer address extension for an information packet transmission on an IP mobility system. In the invention, a link-layer address for a node can be communicated in any information packet rather than confined to a specialized message format. The link-layer address can be used in link-layer routing protocols to simplify mobile IP hand-offs and routing, reducing overhead data traffic and allowing more efficient use of network resources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buffer management method for a mobile node in a mobile IP telecommunication network. The buffer management method supports a handoff of the mobile node from a first agent of a first network to a second agent of a second network. The method begins upon initiation of the handoff. A first message is sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer any packets being sent to the mobile node. While the buffering is being performed, the handoff may be completed to the second agent. Once the handoff is complete, a second message can be sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the buffered packets to the second agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a plurality of mobile nodes to access a network with one or more Network Access Identifiers (NAIs), This allows a user to access a network with multiple mobile nodes using a single NAI. The method and apparatus is achieved by the addition of a Session/Device Extension, a Host Identification Extension, a Host Identification NAI Extension, and/or a Lease Time Extension.

Abstract: The invention provides for an improved method and system of registration and hand-off procedures for a mobile node in a packet-based communication network. The present invention obtains expanded addresses over past systems. The invention can also use serving mobility managers to obtain a care-of address to route data-packets while on the foreign sub-network. The invention improves efficiency and reduces message overhead during registration and hand-off.

Abstract: An improved wireless mobile IP system including an apparatus and method for managing transmission of information. Agent advertisements are used to detect movement of the mobile node and derive care-of addressing information for the Home Agent. Foreign Agents and Home Agents currently periodically broadcast an agent advertisement on the data channel. The claimed system reduces the need for agent advertisements by detecting movement of a mobile user into a new network using either the mobile node or a routine on a low-level protocol layer. After detection of movement, an agent solicitation message is transmitted from the mobile node or from the cell-site transmitter. The mobility agent then transmits a single agent advertisement in response. Derived care-of addressing information will then be registered with the Home Agent to support “tunneling” of communications to the mobile node through the foreign network.

Abstract: The present invention supports a virtual private network identifier for an information packet transmission on an IP mobility system. By identifying a virtual private network in this manner, the Foreign Agent will be able to properly route data packets even if two or more Mobile Nodes are associated with virtual private networks on the same home network.

Abstract: The invention consists of an authentication protocol for the Home Agent to authenticate and authorize the Mobile Node's Binding Update message. Two new mobility options compatible with RADIUS AAA are used to exchange a shared secret between the Home Agent and the Mobile Node so the Mobile Node can be authenticated. A Mobile Node-AAA authenticator option is added to the Binding Update message. The Home Agent generates the Mobile Node-AAA authenticator as a shared secret that it communicates as authentication data to the RADIUS AAA server on the home network. The RADIUS AAA server authenticates the communication and generates an Access-Accept message with a Mobile Node-Home Agent authenticator option. After receipt at the Home Agent, a Binding Update message with the Mobile Node-Home Agent authenticator option is transmitted from the Home Agent to the Mobile Node to use as an authenticator.

Abstract: The present invention supports a protocol for a mobile node to specifically designate a home agent and Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server to use in a communication session. By specifying the AAA server, a specific security association can be selected to support secure information packet transmission between a specified home agent and a mobile node. The specific home agent and AAA server are designated using a network access identifier extension on a binding update message, and the security association data is transmitted back to the mobile node using an extension to the binding acknowledgment message. The mobile node and the home agent then use the security association generated by the AAA server to support information packet communication between the mobile node and the home agent.

Abstract: A new extensions structure for mobile IP control message extensions is employed to conserve the type field. Certain types of extensions, such as network access identifiers, are initially aggregated and subtypes are employed to identify the precise content of the extension (e.g., mobile node network access identifier, home agent network access identifier, foreign agent network access identifier, etc.). Long and short formats for the new extension structure are defined, with the long format applicable to nonskippable extensions carrying more than 256 bytes and the short format backwards compatible with currently defined skippable extensions with less than 256 bytes of data. This will greatly reduce usage of the type field.

Abstract: To authenticate a mobile node, a Mobile IPv6 registration request is received from the mobile node, where the registration request contains authentication information. One example of the Mobile IPv6 registration request is a Mobile IPv6 Binding Update message. A procedure to authenticate the mobile node is performed based on the authentication information contained in the registration request.