Fast handoffs in wireless LAN networks using mobile initiated tunneling handoff protocol for IPv4 (MITHv4)

We investigate fast IP handoffs in wireless LAN networks. As a simple mobile-controlled approach, we introduce mobile initiated tunneling handoff protocol for IPv4 (MITHv4). Our experimental results show that MITHv4 can achieve optimized low latency and low loss IP handoffs in wireless LAN networks. Furthermore, MITHv4 significantly reduces the link layer trigger requirements and substantial access network support to synchronize link layer and IP layer handoffs that fast Mobile IPv4 (FMIPv4) protocols heavily rely on. These benefits of MITHv4 are crucial for wireless LAN networks where the required link layer triggers for FMIPv4 are not feasible due to limited access network control.