Method for connecting a mobile computer to a computer network by using an address server

• US 5,410,543 A
• Filed: 07/05/1994
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Beisel, Philipp W., Seitz, Gregory W., Findley, Sean J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US08/270,517
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 370/85.13, 370/85.14, 370/92, 370/93, 370/94.1, 370/95.1, 370/95.3, 340/825.07, 340/825.52
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

This invention provides a method for connecting a mobile computer to a computer network by using an address server. The mobile computer connects itself to a network and requests an address server to represent it on the network. The address server accepts packets intended for the mobile computer and redirects them to the current actual address of the mobile computer. As the mobile computer moves, it reports its new actual address to the address server, so that packets intended for the mobile computer can be redirected to the new actual address.

Claims

1. A method for connecting a mobile computer to a computer network by using an address server, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing the address server on the network;

representing the mobile computer by a represented address on the address server;

connecting the mobile computer to the network, and reporting its new actual address to the address server;

at the address server, redirecting messages to the represented address to the new actual address of the mobile computer, except blocking broadcasted routing table maintenance protocol messages; and

repeating the connecting and redirecting steps as the mobile computer moves to new addresses on the network.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of representing the mobile computer by a represented address on the address server comprises:

connecting the mobile computer to the network;

locating the address server;

requesting a represented address on the address server; and

disconnecting the mobile computer from the network.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the mobile computer gives the represented address as its source address in all outgoing messages and when requesting services from other computers on the network.

4. A method for connecting a mobile computer to a computer network on an internet of connected networks by using an address server, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing the address server on a network on the internet;

representing the mobile computer by a represented address on the address server;

connecting the mobile computer to a network on the internet, and reporting its new network and new actual address to the address server;

at the address server, redirecting packets to the represented address to the new network and new actual address of the mobile computer, except blocking broadcasted routing table maintenance protocol packets; and

repeating the connecting and redirecting steps as the mobile computer moves to new networks and addresses.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein the step of representing the mobile computer by a represented address on the address server comprises:

connecting the mobile computer to the network;

locating the address server;

requesting a represented address on the address server; and

disconnecting the mobile computer from the network.

6. A method as in claim 4 wherein the mobile computer gives the represented address as its source address in all outgoing messages and when requesting services from other computers on the network.

7. A method for connecting a mobile computer to a computer network by using an address server, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing an address server on a network;

connecting the mobile computer to a network at a first address;

locating the address server by the mobile computer;

requesting a represented address on the address server by the mobile computer;

receiving a represented address;

modifying messages sent by the mobile computer to report the represented address as the source of the messages;

at the address server, receiving messages sent to the represented address and redirecting them to the first address of the mobile computer, except blocking broadcasted routing table maintenance protocol packets;

moving the mobile computer to a new location and connecting the mobile computer to a network at a new address;

contacting the address server by the mobile computer to report the new address of the mobile computer; and

at the address server, redirecting messages sent to the represented address to the new address of the mobile computer, except blocking broadcasted routing table maintenance protocol packets.