Cisco drives mobile IP standard

New IP functionality added to web OS software

Cisco has introduced new mobile IP functionality to its internet operating system (OS) software, which is now available to resellers as an upgrade.

The company has added the mobile networking standard RFC2002, specified by the Independent Internet Engineering Task Force (IIETF), to its Net OS.

RFC2002 gives IP devices the ability to roam while remaining constantly connected to the internet using the same IP address.

Joel Bion, vice president of Cisco's IP technologies division, said: "Cisco is accelerating the creation of an IP-based ubiquitous wireless internet."

Distributor ComStor is now stocking the upgrade. Paul Cunningham, services director at the company, said that the offering would not create a new market for resellers but would provide add-on sales.

"Margins come from what resellers can add on top. Those that realise the business opportunities are making money out of it," he said.

Using the IIETF standard, a Cisco router and its connected IP devices can work across network boundaries and different types of connection.

A Cisco representative said: "Combined with Cisco's wireless local area network and public service data network products, this functionality provides end-to-end IP mobility."

Cisco added that this development could open up new markets such as emergency services, railways, shipping systems and cars to networking resellers.