Wireless network extension using Mobile IP

The development of distributed computing systems, with the associated focus on the interconnecting network, and mobile computing platforms has generated much interest in mobile data network access. Wide-area wireless communication systems are particularly of interest. This paper attempts to describe some of the challenges and potential solutions to providing wireless network access for mobile computing users. We present a set of characteristics and requirements for practical wireless access, many of which are not addressed well, if at all, by current wireless data systems. The paper then describes a new Internet technology, Mobile IP, which provides a foundation for addressing many of the cited requirements. The paper concludes with a description of how this technology is being applied in the development of advanced new data services for the integrated dispatch enhanced network (iDEN).