Remote DHCPv6 autoconfiguration for mobile IPv6 nodes

During interdomain handover, IPv6 node requires a new address at its new location. Once the L2 handover procedure is completed, the mobile node (MN) starts its IPv6 configuration process, using stateless (router advertisements) or stateful (DHCPv6) mode. When so-called care-of address (CoA) is assigned, its uniqueness has to be verified, using Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) procedure. Depending on a network type, this procedure may even take more than 1000ms. The obtained CoA can be used only when configuration and DAD procedures are completed for informing corresponding nodes about new MN location. Such significant delay introduces unacceptable gaps in communication capability. This paper proposes a new mechanism that enables obtaining IPv6 address and other configuration options in advance, before actual handover is performed. MN contacts its destination location and obtains its new parameters, while still maintaining connectivity at old location. Such a priori knowledge about target location configuration may be exploited to speed up configuration process itself, but also to initiate Mobile IPv6 operations earlier, thus further shortening delays. Mechanism itself and its verification techniques are discussed. Results of extensive simulations, statistical analysis as well as areas of further study conclude this paper.