Patent ID: 8169951
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: wirelessly receiving into a cellular radio access network (RAN) from a wireless communication device (WCD) a radio access registration message seeking to register the WCD for wireless communication service in the RAN; in response to the radio access registration message from the WCD, sending a registration notification message from the RAN to a home location register (HLR) that serves the WCD, wherein the HLR includes or has access to a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server function; responsive to the registration notification message, (i) the DHCP server function assigning a network address to the WCD, for use by the WCD to engage in communications on a packet-switched network and (ii) the HLR generating a registration notification response message containing the assigned network address and sending the registration notification response message from the HLR to the RAN; upon receipt of the registration notification message from the HLR, wirelessly transmitting to the WCD from the RAN, in response to the radio access registration message, a radio access registration response message, wherein the radio access registration response message acknowledges registration of the WCD for wireless communication service in the RAN and specifies the assigned network address for use by the WCD; and after transmitting the radio access registration response message, with the assigned network address, to the WCD: