Maintaining consistent network connections using a secondary PDP context

Abstract

A system and method using the concept of secondary PDP context defined in the 3 GPP specification in order to preserve a uniform connectivity to a GGSN while roaming from different networks through a handover mechanism. The handover mechanism involved is efficient, with minimal messaging overhead, and preserves the IP address of the client. Thus the data connections do not suffer from interruptions. In one example embodiment, the present innovations establish a secondary PDP context through an alternate, non-GPRS access network in areas covered by both GPRS and a non-GPRS access technology (such as a WLAN). The GPRS access network uses a primary PDP context, which is maintained (though dormant) while the alternate access network and secondary PDP context are used.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method of operating a network, comprising the actions of: 
 connecting a client to a first network through a server, while also    connecting said client to a second network through said server,    whereby said client maintains a consistent connection to said first network, and identification and data traffic is controlled by said server.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , where said first wireless network is GPRS network.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , where said second wireless network is managed using GPRS secondary PDP context mechanism.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein constant identification of said client is maintained using a secondary PDP context mechanism used by said server.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said client remains consistently connected to said server either through said first connection or said second connection.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a second server, wherein said second server is capable of QoS measurements to determine the optimum wireless gateway to connect to.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said second server is capable of separating data and control traffic and routing them accordingly.  
   
   
       21 . A communications system, comprising: 
 first, second, and third nodes capable of network communications;    wherein when a client is in range of a first network, a first network identifier is created for communications between the first and the third node;    which when the client moves into an area covered by the first network and a second network a second network identifier is created for communication between the second node and the third node while maintaining the first network identifier.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said first network identifier uses information from a PDP context.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said second network identifier uses information from a second PDP context.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first node is an access point for the first network, and the second node is an access point for the second network.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 21 , where in the second network is a wide area local access network.  
   
   
       26 . A method of managing client connections to one or more networks, comprising the steps of: 
 creating a first network identifier for a client communication with a first network,    when the client enters an area covered by both the first network and a second network, creating a second network identifier for client communication with the second network;    wherein the first network identifier is maintained while the client is in communication with the second network.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said first network identifier uses information from a PDP context.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said second network identifier uses information from a second PDP context.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step: 
 where the client leaves the area of the second network, deleting the secondary identifier and maintaining the primary network identifier.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the second network is a wireless local area network.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first network is a GPRS network.