Management of multiple mobility protocols and tools in dynamically configurable networks

Solutions for mobility management in wireless networks have been investigated and proposed in various research projects and standardization bodies. With the continuing deployment of different access networks, the wider range of applications tailored for a mobile environment, and a larger diversity of wireless end systems, it emerged that a single mobility protocol (such as Mobile IP) is not sufficient to handle the different requirements adequately. Thus a solution is needed to manage multiple mobility protocols in end systems and network nodes, to detect and select the required protocols, versions and optional features, and enable control on running daemons. For this purpose a mobility toolbox has been developed as part of the EU funded Ambient Networks project. This paper describes this modular management approach and illustrates the additional benefits a mobility protocol can gain by using state transfer as an example.