Abstract:
This paper discusses vertical handover of disparate
networks with emphasis on handover of Wireless LAN
(WLAN) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The
paper covers the issues involved in vertical handover and
discusses a solution being undertaken at UWC. The objective is
to provide network services using various types of networks
and devices for field workforce automation. The limitations of
both WLAN and GPRS are discussed. Methods for reformatting
large general-purpose Internet web pages to match
small form-factor wireless devices are discussed. Methods for
providing access on demand, wherever, whenever and with
whatever are provided and explained. Along with the seamless
handover is scaling down (minimizing) of web pages to match
the display capability of the small screen of a personal digital
assistant (PDA). The web pages are reduced in size and
complexity and high bandwidth requiring features are held
back to speed up web page loading and downloads. Access to
the Internet and/or the organisation's Intranet is enhanced
through the intervention of proxy servers. It performs scaling
down of the web pages, device matching and storing of
frequently accessed web pages along with the web pages that
have been placed on hold when the web pages are scaled down.
