Location-independent packet routing and secure access in short-range wireless networking environment

Methods, systems, and computer program instructions for providing location-independent packet routing and secure access in a wireless networking environment, enabling client devices to travel seamlessly within the environment. Each client device (330) uses a constant address. An address translation process that is transparent to the client (330) and server (300) is automatically performed as the device roams through the environment, enabling efficient client migration from one supporting access point to another. Packets sent to and from a client device pass through a Foreign Addess Masquerader, or "FAM" (340). The device's outbound packets (350a) are forwarded (350b) by the FAM to the destination server (300). Inbound packets from the server are sent (360a) to the device's Home Address Masquerader, or "HAM" (310), and are then forwarded (360b) to the FAM, which sends them (360c) to the device. A roaming coordinator (320) enables HAM and FAM connectivity and discovery, and connection migration.