The present invention is directed to a mobility management protocol for
supporting real-time and non-real-time multimedia applications on mobile
stations of third generation internet protocol (3G-IP) networks. The
present invention utilizes as well as extends the session initiation
protocol (SIP) to provide for domain hand-off (i.e., roaming) and subnet
hand-off (i.e., macro-mobility) so that users can access the network from
any location using their own mobile station as they roam across different
3G-IP networks. The present invention supports mobile transmission
control protocol (TCP) applications without modifying TCP. More
specifically, disclosed herein is: a novel use of the SIP INVITE method
for IP address binding; a novel use of the SIP INFO method to provide a
means of profile verification and IP address binding; a novel use of the
SIP REGISTER method to allow a SIP registrar to obtain a new IP address
from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server on behalf of the
mobile; and an inventive entity called a SIP_EYE Agent that maintains a
record of ongoing TCP connections and releases within the mobile.