Patent ID: 8040860
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: supporting multiple internet protocol addresses of a foreign network entity in a foreign network, the foreign network entity configured to receive data from a home network entity, the received data being divided between different simultaneous tunnels of a plurality of tunnels established between the foreign network entity and the home network entity, each tunnel having an associated address selected from the multiple internet protocol addresses, where the foreign network entity operates as an endpoint for the different simultaneous tunnels of the plurality of tunnels, and where the received data is destined for mobile nodes in the foreign network; and dynamically assigning each of the multiple internet protocol addresses to one or more of the mobile nodes in the foreign network for registration at the home network entity as tunnel endpoint addresses for the data destined for the mobile nodes; and controlling, with the foreign network entity, a load of the data divided between the different simultaneous tunnels of the plurality of tunnels by the dynamic assignment of the multiple internet protocol addresses, where the dynamic assignment comprises assigning the multiple internet protocol addresses so as not to overload any of the different simultaneous tunnels.