A method implemented by an access point, the method comprising the following steps: assigning an Internet Protocol, IP, address to a mobile device that is available for use by the mobile device in a wireless network; prior to sending the IP address from the access point, receiving an association request from a mobile device for an association with the access point, the association request comprising a first IP address assignment element containing a first identifier subfield indicating that the association request is for an IP address and a first type subfield of whether an IPv4 or IPv6 address type is requested, the first type subfield being 1 octet in length; and sending an association response comprising a second IP address assignment element from the access point to the mobile device, the second IP address assignment element comprising a second identifier subfield, a second type subfield, a Domain Name System, DNS, address, and the IP address assigned to the mobile device, wherein, when the association request is for IPv4, the IP address is an IPv4 address contained in a payload subfield of the second IP address assignment element, the payload subfield being 4 octets in length, the second IP address assignment element also including a subnet mask subfield, the subnet mask subfield comprising a subnet mask for the IP address assigned to the mobile device; wherein, when the association request is for IPv6, the IP address is an IPv6 address contained in the payload subfield of the second IP address assignment element, the payload subfield being 16 octets in length; and wherein the association response and the association request comprise data link layer messages in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics, IEEE, 802.11 standard. assigning an Internet Protocol, IP, address to a mobile device that is available for use by the mobile device in a wireless network; prior to sending the IP address from the access point, receiving an association request from a mobile device for an association with the access point, the association request comprising a first IP address assignment element containing a first identifier subfield indicating that the association request is for an IP address and a first type subfield of whether an IPv4 or IPv6 address type is requested, the first type subfield being 1 octet in length; and sending an association response comprising a second IP address assignment element from the access point to the mobile device, the second IP address assignment element comprising a second identifier subfield, a second type subfield, a Domain Name System, DNS, address, and the IP address assigned to the mobile device, wherein, when the association request is for IPv4, the IP address is an IPv4 address contained in a payload subfield of the second IP address assignment element, the payload subfield being 4 octets in length, the second IP address assignment element also including a subnet mask subfield, the subnet mask subfield comprising a subnet mask for the IP address assigned to the mobile device; wherein, when the association request is for IPv6, the IP address is an IPv6 address contained in the payload subfield of the second IP address assignment element, the payload subfield being 16 octets in length; and wherein the association response and the association request comprise data link layer messages in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics, IEEE, 802.11 standard.