Patent ID: 8351928

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) discover message from a mobile client at a DHCP server, the DHCP discover message forwarded to the DHCP server by a home agent of the mobile client; receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address at the DHCP server, the IP address sent by the home agent of the mobile client, the home agent having a mobility binding for the mobile client, the home agent located in a home network of the mobile client; receiving at the DHCP server a DHCP request sent by the mobile client through a DHCP relay of an access gateway, the access gateway distinct from the DHCP server, the DHCP request requesting an IP address for the mobile client; assigning, by the DHCP server, the IP address to the mobile client; sending a DHCP acknowledgement comprising the assigned IP address to the mobile client; releasing the IP address at the DHCP server; and notifying, by the DHCP server, the home agent of the mobile client that the IP address has been released.