INTER-DOMAIN HANDOVER MECHANISMS BETWEEN NETWORK-BASED LOCALIZED NETWORK MOBILITY DOMAINS

摘要

The invention relates to a method for handovers between at least two network mobility domains. The domains are part of a system with local mobility anchors and a mobile node being connectable with each of the network mobility domains. A first connection is established between the mobile node and a first network mobility domain; and the local mobility anchor of the first network mobility domain is designated a session mobility anchor. A second connection between the mobile node and a second network mobility domain of the at least two network mobility domains is established. The step of establishing comprises a step of locating wherein a local entity pertaining to the second network mobility domain locates the session mobility anchor to which the mobile node is designated. The step of locating the session mobility anchor comprises the following step carried out by the local entity: retrieving a session mobility anchor identification. The session mobility anchor identification is retrieved from at least one of: a transmission sent by the mobile node to the second network mobility domain, and a data base comprising a mobile node identification identifying the mobile node. The data base stores the mobile node identification related to a session mobility anchor identification of the session mobility anchor dedicated to the mobile node. The local entity comprises at least one of: a mobile access gateway of the second network mobility domain, the local mobility anchor of the second network mobility domain which provides a visited local mobility anchor, or another entity pertaining to and being connected to the second network mobility domain. Further, the invention relates to a local mobility anchor adapted to retrieving the identification according to the invention. Additionally, the invention relates to a retrieval unit for supplying a requesting local mobility anchor with requested session mobility anchor information, the retrieval unit comprising the data base. Finally, the invention relates to a computer program product implementing the inventive method when running on a programmable processor.