Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating IP addresses in a wireless
IP network. IP address servers determine the requisite IP address pools
and guard bands for individual network cells to guarantee fair access to
the network and facilitate handoff host handoff from a prior cell to a new
cell. IP address servers also prioritize handoff and resident hosts that
request an IP address from the IP address server. In particular, IP
address servers assign a higher priority to handoff hosts over resident
hosts that request an IP address from an IP address server in order to
maintain a preestablished handoff host network connection instead of
dropping a handoff host connection in favor of a new resident host network
connection. Finally, each cell is allocated a minimum number of IP
addresses to ensure a certain level of fair access to the network
regardless of the cell wherein a handoff or resident host resides.
