Importance

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Abstract

A communications network which is capable of effectively and efficiently handling mobility of wireless user terminals between access point nodes of a packet-switched network with minimal overhead and packet loss, and a method for using the same. The communications network employs a packet-switched core network and a plurality of access points coupled to the core network. Each access point is adapted to provide any user terminal with wireless communications access to the core network when that user terminal becomes affiliated with that access point. Each access point, as well as other nodes on the network such as a media server, DNS server and an IP gateway router, includes an address resolution cache which is adapted to store information representative of affiliation between the user terminals and the access points of the network. Each access point is adapted to deliver to the other access points a message indicating that a user terminal has changed its affiliation from another access point to that access point, to enable the other access points and core LAN nodes to update their respective address resolution cache based on the message. Preferably, an access point is adapted to issue the message over the core network as an address resolution request for an address, in particular, an IP protocol address, of the user terminal which has changed its affiliation to that access point.

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First Claim