Method and apparatus for maintaining sequence numbering in header compressed packets

摘要

A method and apparatus for maintaining a plurality of sequence numbers in a plurality of header compressed packets associated with an information context is described. Header compressed packets are transferred on a communication link according to a multi-layer protocol having at least a higher layer and a lower layer. If it is determined that one or more header compressed packets has been dropped, a flag is set on the header compressed packets. A sequence count at the higher layer and lower layer may be reduced by a number corresponding to the number of header compressed packets dropped. The sequence number of each of the header compressed packets is checked at the lower layer against the sequence count and renumbered to match the sequence count. If the sequence number and the sequence count match the flag is cleared. The higher layer is a PPP layer and the lower layer is a Physical Layer.