Handoffs in Integrating Ad Hoc Networks to Internet

As we move toward next generation networks, we are facing the integration of wireless networks and wired networks, such as MANET (mobile ad hoc network) and IPv6 based Internet. Once a MANET node obtains a global address from an Internet gateway, it is able to communication with nodes in the Internet. To full support of mobility, it is necessary for MANET nodes to make handoff. This article specifies how to extend MANETs to support IPv6 mobility. Compared to earlier efforts that focused on only a single MANET, we consider the mobility of mobile ad hoc networks, with mobile hosts negotiating Internet gateways´ service ranges. The ability to dynamically adjust such service ranges greatly improves MANETs´ flexibility and reduces Internet gateways´ service overhead. In addition, mobile hosts can make handoff, offering higher fault tolerance and greater roaming flexibility. In the handoff algorithm, the number of handoffs is as small as possible and its delay and packet loss rate are less.