Method and apparatus for providing mobile and other intermittent connectivity in a computing environment

• US 8,060,656 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Netmotion Wireless Holdings, Inc. (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Netmotion Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Sturniolo, Emil A., Menn, Anatoly, Hanson, Aaron D., Olsen, Erik D., Savarese, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blair; Douglas B
• Application Number:
  US11/138,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20050223115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,363 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-219, 709/227, 709/250, 719/330
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1809 Selective-repeat protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/188 Time-out mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/042 comprising distributed management centres cooperatively managing the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/28 Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/133 Protocols for remote procedure calls [RPC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/59 Providing operational support to end devices by off-loading in the network or by emulation, e.g. when they are unavailable
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/25 Maintenance of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/10 adapted for application session management, e.g. SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] connection management H04W76/00; arrangements for session management H04L67/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/182 Network node acting on behalf of an other network entity, e.g. proxy

Abstract

A seamless solution transparently addresses the characteristics of nomadic systems, and enables existing network applications to run reliably in mobile environments. The solution extends the enterprise network, letting network managers provide mobile users with easy access to the same applications as stationary users without sacrificing reliability or centralized management. The solution combines advantages of existing wire-line network standards with emerging mobile standards to create a solution that works with existing network applications. A Mobility Management Server coupled to the mobile network maintains the state of each of any number of Mobile End Systems and handles the complex session management required to maintain persistent connections to the network and to other peer processes. If a Mobile End System becomes unreachable, suspends, or changes network address (e.g., due to roaming from one network interconnect to another), the Mobility Management Server maintains the connection to the associated peer task—allowing the Mobile End System to maintain a continuous connection even though it may temporarily lose contact with its network medium. In one example, Mobility Management Server communicates with Mobile End Systems using Remote Procedure Call and Internet Mobility Protocols.

Claims

1. A mobile computing environment comprising:

at least one proxy server; and

at least one mobile computing device that includes;

a signal transmitter,

a transport driver interface, and

a mobile interceptor coupled to said transport driver interface,

said mobile interceptor intercepting requests for network services at said transport driver interface, generating Remote Procedure Calls responsive to said requests for network services, and forwarding said Remote Procedure Calls from the at least one mobile device via the signal transmitter to said at least one proxy server; and

said at least one proxy server includes;

at least one work dispatcher that receives and handles said Remote Procedure Calls forwarded by said mobile interceptor; and

a prioritized queue that proxies communication sessions on behalf of said mobile computing device even when the mobile computing device becomes temporarily disconnected from said mobile computing environment.