Introduction of ID/locator split into the future Internet architecture can make distributed and dynamic mobility management functions simpler and native. Unlike conventional IP mobility solutions, the new approach can offer smooth mobility across heterogeneous network-layer protocols (e.g. IPv4, IPv6) and other benefits. This paper first gives an overview of new features that ID/locator split-based architecture can bring about besides overcoming the limitations of conventional IP mobility protocols and then discusses the architecture, implementation, and performance of HIMALIS as an example of ID/locator split-based architecture. The performance results validate that HIMALIS has end-to-end throughputs and latencies similar to those of the conventional TCP/IP network. Moreover, the results verify that HIMALIS is capable to provide seamless handover across heterogeneous network-layer protocols.
