摘要 |
<p>The present invention is a novel method and apparatus for providing transparent mobility of an entity within a network. The present invention allows a given entity, which has a communication path set up between it and a peer entity, to move from one location to another, without informing the peer entity of this movement, and without having the communication path broken. The present invention is applicable to decentralized networks using the IP protocol, and is particularly applicable on networks wherein it is desired that the mobility mechanism neither introduces latency nor decreases the available bandwidth of the network. In the present invention, neither is latency increased nor is bandwidth utilization increased, as is done in other mobility models. Additionally, the present invention utilizes standard protocols that are widely available from a plurality of equipment manufacturers on a variety of platforms. Thus, the present invention provides a very cost-effective model for network providers that need to support transparent mobility within their network.</p> |