US Patent 7826424 Packet loss prevention during handoff through managed buffer nodes architecture

In preferred embodiments, a wireless network system features buffering of data packets transmitted to mobile nodes. The system is transparent to the mobile node, so that the mobile node is not required to request service from the network, or negotiate service parameters with the network. An EAPOL-Start and binding update messages initiate and terminate the buffering, and also commence pre-authentication and smooth handoff reporting, respectively.