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Mobile IP

Webopedia Staff
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:49 am

A standard that allows users with mobile devices whose IP addresses are associated with one networkto stay connected when moving to a network with a different IP address.

When a user leaves the network with which his device is associated (home network) and enters the domain of a foreign network, the foreign network uses the Mobile IP protocol to inform the home network of a care-of address to which all packetsfor the user’s device should be sent.

Mobile IP is most often found in wireless WAN environments where users need to carry their mobile devices across multiple LANswith different IP addresses.

A common analogy to explain Mobile IP is when someone moves his residence from one location to another. Person moves from Boston to New York. Person drops off new mailing address to New York post office. New York post office notifies Boston post office of new mailing address. When Boston post office receives mail for person it knows to forward mail to person’s New York address.