Sprint Communications Comapny L.p.

Dale E Winn

John H Bennett, Iii

Robert J Pierce

Jeremy Richard Breau

Frederick Carl Rogers

Terry Daniel Nebergall

Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the establishment of an Internet protocol (IP) data session with a dual-stack mobile communications device by authenticating the device. An IP data session is requested, and a home agent sends an indication of this request. A DNS server that will be assigned to a device is identified by querying a database and is identified based on the device's capabilities. The device capabilities are determined by a device-capability identifier that is associated with the user of the device or the device itself, such as a network access identifier. The capabilities may include the device type, applications, programs, or services that the user of the device is subscribed to, or capabilities that are inherent to the phone. Once the DNS server is identified, a server identifier is sent to the home agent, which assigns the DNS server to the device.

Assignment of domain name system (DNS) servers

Communication to a target device using IP is provided. An IPv6 address is registered. An AAAA-record DNS lookup is performed and an A-record DNS lookup is performed, both using the IPv6 network. A response related to the AAAA-record DNS lookup is received and a response to the A-record DNS lookup is received. If a valid IPv6 address is contained in the AAAA-record response, communication uses IPv6. If no valid IPv6 address is contained in the AAAA-record response, an IPv4 address is registered and communication uses IPv4.

Using domain name server response and internet protocol version 6 to conserve internet protocol version 4 addresses

Methods and computer-readable media are provided to allow for the assignment of domain-name system (DNS) servers, static IP addresses, and dynamic home agents to a device requesting the establishment of an IPv6 data session. DNS servers may be determined for a particular device based on one or more device capabilities, such as the type of device or certain products or services to which the device is subscribed. The device capabilities are determined by querying a customer-profile database that defines certain information about users and devices, such as static IP addresses and device capabilities. The DNS servers are used by a device to translate a host name into a host address, in addition to establishing an IPv6 data session. Once determined, a component, such as an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server may send the attributes to a packet-routing component, which assigns the DNS servers to the device.

Attribute assignment for IP dual stack devices

Methods and computer-readable media are provided to monitor information corresponding to IP data sessions that are established using a single authentication session. A first IP data session may be established in a first IP version, such as IPv4 or IPv6, and a second IP data session may be established using a different IP version that was used in correlation to the first IP data session. Once the second IP data session is established, a message containing information corresponding to the second IP data session may be communicated to a receiving component, such as an AAA server. A similar message may be sent to the receiving component upon a termination of the second IP data session, such that the messages can be used to determine a value, such as a monetary value, associated with the second IP data session. A report may then be created that includes the determined value.

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Adrian, MO, United States of America

Dale E Winn