Methods and apparatus for supporting proxy mobile ip registration in a wireless local area network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for enabling mobility of a node that does not support Mobile IP are disclosed. Access point information is maintained for all functioning access points. In accordance with one embodiment, an authoritative access point (AAP) maintains access point information for all functioning access points (APs) and sends updates for all additions or other modifications to the continually changing access point information to enable APs to store a local copy of the AP information. For instance, when an AP goes offline, the access point information for that AP will be removed from the set of access point information, and notification of this removal is sent to other APs so that the local copy of the AP information may be similarly updated. As another example, when an AP comes online, it will send its AP information to the AAP. The AAP will store the AP information and provide this new AP information to other 'active' APs. The AP information preferably includes an AP subnet and a gateway. When an AP receives a data packet, the AP may compare the data packet (e.g., source address) with the AP information (e.g., AP subnet) for one or more APs to determine whether to send a registration request on behalf of the node. For instance, the registration request may specify the gateway as the node's Home Agent.