Agent Discovery

Agent Discovery
The agent discovery process is necessary to bind the mobile node to a foreign agent or, in
some cases, directly to the home agent. Foreign and home agents periodically advertise their
availability to mobile nodes via broadcast messages. A mobile node can also broadcast a message
indicating its presence and discover whether a foreign agent is available.
After receiving communication from a foreign or home agent, the mobile node determines
whether it’s located on the home network or a foreign network. If the mobile node is within
the home network, the mobile station will not utilize the mobility functions. A mobile node
returning to its home network, though, will deregister with the applicable foreign agent. If the
mobile node finds that it’s on a foreign network, it will obtain a care-of address from the foreign
network.