Supporting Programmable Handoff in Mobile Networks

In this paper we describe the design, implementation and evaluation of a programmable architecture for profiling, composing and deploying handoff services. We argue that future wireless access networks should be built on a foundation of open programmable networking allowing for the dynamic deployment and management of new mobile and wireless services. Customizing handoff control and mobility management in this manner calls for advances in software and networking technologies in order to respond to specific radio, mobility, and quality of service requirements of future wireless service providers. Two applications of programmable handoff are presented. First, we describe ‘multi-service’ access networks, which are capable of simultaneously supporting multiple styles of handoff over the same physical infrastructure. Second, we discuss ‘reflective handoff’ which allows mobile devices to roam between heterogeneous networks.