Wolfgang Fritsche

As mobile computing becomes more widespread, the need for mobility support for Internet devices increases. The number of mobile computers is expected to soar. Cellular phones that offer IP services based on WAP or GPRS are already available, and their number will increase rapidly. 3G cellular devices will be packet-switched rather than circuit-switched. Therefore, IP services on 3G cellular devices will play an integral role. Today we face several problems that make roaming with mobile Internet devices difficult. Problems start when a user disconnects his or her mobile device from the Internet in order to connect it elsewhere. Normally the user would not be able to continue communication until configuring the system with a new IP address, the correct netmask, and a new default router. This problem is based in the routing mechanisms used in the Internet. IP addresses... (more)