The role of mobile IP in a mobile world

Mobile IP is an old protocol that has rarely been actively used. With the advent of IPv6, MobilelPv6 is intended to be an integral part of all systems. Will that be enough to bring Mobile IP into more active use? Or will the growth in the mobile device marketplace and the corresponding expansion of wireless infrastructure have that effect?This paper will investigate some of the issues that impact on the relevance of Mobile IP, and discuss some problems and possible solutions. In particular, an example of a rational usage case for Mobile IP, that fails, will be given along with a possible solution. Some impediments that tend to make Mobile IP a less attractive mechanism than it should be will also be discussed, along with proposals for improvements that will alleviate the problems.