Abstract: An efficient and improved dynamic home agent discovery algorithm and system to be used in a protocol for network communications. The present invention encapsulates and integrates communications of the home agents into a single home agent communication. Communication between a mobile node and the home agents is simplified to a single home agent communication. Dynamic home agent discovery processes are performed, based on the single home agent communication. Encapsulation is achieved by having each of the home agents maintain a home agent list that contains information about each of the home agents coupled to the home link. A designated home agent receives and processes home agent discovery requests from the mobile node on behalf of home agents coupled to the home link, and a designated home agent sends home agent advertisements to and communicates with the mobile node.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system having mobile foreign agents, the present invention eliminates the use of multiple source/destination headers attached to an information packet during the tunneling operation by using either a decapsulation/encapsulation or a forwarding operation with the encapsulated information packet. Either of these operations reduces the overhead incurred in the multiple encapsulation headers by reducing encapsulation of the information packet to a single level. Upon receipt of the information packet at the foreign agent on the communications system, the information packet is directed to the mobile node using a routing chain table maintained by the foreign agent or a next hop routing table maintained by the foreign agent and each mobile foreign agent in the transmission path. Once implemented, these data structures can also assist with routing of information packets within the foreign subnetwork.

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 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: A computer protocol that manages and provides efficient communications and utilization of resources between a mobile computer system or device and other systems and devices. Each home agent maintains a home agent list containing information about each of the home agents coupled to the home link. A designated home agent on behalf of the home agents for a virtual home agent is used to send and broadcast home agent advertisement, to receive and process a request from a mobile node, to process and send a reply to the mobile node. Synchronization mechanisms or tools, such as home agent priority or floating token method, are provided for proper operation of a Virtual Distribution Home Agent Protocol (VDHAP). These mechanisms or tools are used to fairly distribute loads from the mobile node among the home agents within the virtual home agent.