Network communication between hosts
The invention enables hosts that do not share a network prefix to communicate in the event the hosts are unable to communicate with a router.
1. A method for use by a first mobile host, the first mobile host having a first network layer address prefix, for identifying a network node to communicate with, the method comprising:
sending by the first mobile host a first service solicitation to attempt to identify a router with which the first mobile host can communicate;
determining by the first mobile host that no routers are available with which to communicate;
sending by the first mobile host, in response to the determination, a second service solicitation requesting a network layer address of another mobile host with which the first mobile host can communicate; and
receiving, by the first mobile host, a response message to the second service solicitation, the response message including a network layer address of a previously unknown second mobile host with which the first mobile host can communicate, the second mobile host having a network layer address prefix different from the first network layer address prefix.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that no routers are available comprises waiting for a router availability message.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein waiting for the router availability message comprises waiting for a message addressed to a multicast address.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that no routers are available comprises sending a message querying for available routers.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a message to the second mobile host.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that no routers are available comprises attempting to identify a router providing a first set of services.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining that no routers are available comprises attempting to identify a router providing a second set of services.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the router comprises a foreign agent.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first mobile host comprises a wireless host.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second host comprises a wireless host.
11. A computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium for use by a first mobile host, the first mobile host having a first network layer address prefix, for identifying a network node to communicate with, the computer program product including instructions for causing the first mobile host to:
send a first service solicitation to attempt to identify a router with which the first mobile host can communicate;
determine that no routers are available with which to communicate;
send, in response to the determination, a second service solicitation requesting a network layer address of another mobile host with which the first mobile host can communicate; and
receive, a response message to the second service solicitation including a network layer address of a previously unknown second mobile host with which the first mobile host can communicate, the second mobile host having a network layer address prefix different from the first network layer address prefix.
12. The computer program of claim 11 , wherein the instructions for causing the first mobile host to to determine that no routers are available comprise instructions for causing the processor to wait for a router availability message.
13. The computer program of claim 12 , wherein the instructions for causing the first mobile host to wait for the router availability message comprise instructions for causing the first mobile host to wait for a message addressed to a multicast address.
14. The computer program of claim 11 , wherein the instructions for causing the first mobile host to determine that no routers are available comprise instructions for causing a first mobile host to send a message querying for available routers.
15. The computer program of claim 11 , further comprising instructions for causing the first mobile host to send a message to.
16. The computer program of claim 11 , wherein the instructions for causing the first mobile host to determine that no routers are available comprise instructions for causing the first mobile host to attempt to identify a router providing a first set of services.
17. The computer program of claim 16 , wherein the instructions for causing the first mobile host to determine that no routers are available comprise instructions for causing the first mobile host to attempt to identify a router providing a second set of services.
18. The computer program of claim 11 , wherein the router comprises a foreign agent.
19. The computer program of claim 11 , wherein the first mobile host comprises a wireless host.