Shortcut network layer routing for mobile hosts
First Claim
1. A method for routing a packet of information between a first host and a second host that are coupled to a network, each of the hosts having a unique network address, wherein at least one of the hosts is a mobile host that does not have a fixed network coupling location, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a packet from the mobile host to the second host on the network through a wireless link that is established between the mobile host and a first base access station that serves a current physical location of the mobile host, the first base access station being coupled to the network via a subnetwork, the packet including a first Loose Source Routing LSR option that includes a network address of the first base access station and possibly at least one further network address;
receiving with the second host the packet that includes the first LSR option; and
transmitting a further packet from the second host to the mobile host, via the first base access station and the wireless link, in accordance with a path reversal technique such that the further packet includes a second LSR option that includes the network address of the first base access station that was included within the first LSR option, whereby the further packet is directed through the network to the first base access station that serves the current physical location of the mobile host.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for routing a packet of information between two hosts that are coupled to a network. Each of the hosts have a unique network address, and at least one of the hosts is a mobile host (10) that does not have a fixed network coupling location. The method includes a first step of (a) transmitting a packet from the mobile host to a second, destination host on the network through a wireless link that is established between the mobile host and a base access station (12) that serves a current physical location of the mobile host. The base access station is coupled to the network via a subnetwork (LAN) (14), and the packet includes a first Internet Protocol (IP) Loose Source Routing (LSR) option that includes a network address of the base access station. A second step (b) receives with the destination host the packet that includes the first IP LSR option. A third step (c) transmits a further, reply packet from the second host to the mobile host via the base access station in accordance with a path reversal technique wherein the reply packet includes a second IP LSR option that specifies as a first Routing address the network address of the base access station. As a result, the reply packet is directed through the network to the base access station that serves the current physical location of the mobile host, and an optimal, fast routing of the packet is achieved without involving intermediate gateways (16, 18).
368 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for routing a packet of information between a first host and a second host that are coupled to a network, each of the hosts having a unique network address, wherein at least one of the hosts is a mobile host that does not have a fixed network coupling location, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a packet from the mobile host to the second host on the network through a wireless link that is established between the mobile host and a first base access station that serves a current physical location of the mobile host, the first base access station being coupled to the network via a subnetwork, the packet including a first Loose Source Routing LSR option that includes a network address of the first base access station and possibly at least one further network address; receiving with the second host the packet that includes the first LSR option; and transmitting a further packet from the second host to the mobile host, via the first base access station and the wireless link, in accordance with a path reversal technique such that the further packet includes a second LSR option that includes the network address of the first base access station that was included within the first LSR option, whereby the further packet is directed through the network to the first base access station that serves the current physical location of the mobile host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for routing a packet of information between two hosts that are coupled to a network, each of the hosts having a unique network address, wherein at least one of the hosts is a mobile host that does not have a fixed network coupling location, comprising the steps of:
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in response to a reception of a packet from the network by a mobile router, the packet not including an LSR option and having the network address of the mobile host as a destination address, converting the received packet into a packet that includes a LSR option, the LSR option being provided by the mobile router with the network address of the mobile host, the received packet further being provided with a destination address of a base access station that is serving, with a wireless communication link, a physical location within which the mobile host is currently located; forwarding the converted packet from the mobile router to the base access station that serves the physical location within which the mobile host is currently located; and receiving the converted packet and forwarding the received converted packet from the base access station over the wireless link to the mobile host. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mobile host having a network address, the mobile host comprising:
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means for bidirectionally communicating with a data communications network through a first base access station over a wireless communications link, the first base access station serving a wireless communications cell that encompasses a current physical location of the mobile host; and means for transmitting an information packet to the data communications network, the information packet being transmitted over the wireless communications link to the first base access station, the information packet including a first Loose Source Routing LSR option that includes a network address of the first base access station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A data communications system for routing a packet of information over a network, comprising:
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at least one mobile host having a network address, said at least one mobile host not having a fixed network coupling location, said at least one mobile host including means for bidirectionally communicating with a wireless communications link; at least one base access station that is coupled to the network and that serves a communication cell by means of the wireless communication link; and a mobile router having means for transmitting information packets to the network and means for receiving information packets from the network, said mobile router further including means, responsive to a reception of an information packet from the network, the packet not including a Loose Source Routing LSR option and having a network address of a mobile host as a destination address, for converting the received information packet into a converted packet that includes a LSR option, said converting means providing the LSR option with the network address of the mobile host and also providing the converted packet with a destination address of a selected base access station that is serving, through the wireless communication link, a communication cell within which the mobile host was last known to be located. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification