Methods and apparatus for broadcast optimization in mobile IP

In accordance with various embodiments, a Home Agent receives a registration request and sends a registration reply having a network mask extension including a network mask associated with the home address of the Mobile Node. Once the Mobile Node has obtained its network mask, it may send packets such as broadcast packets, as well as roam to its Home Agent. Additionally, in accordance with various embodiments, when a Home Agent receives a broadcast packet, it forwards the broadcast packet to a care-of address of the broadcast packet without duplicating the broadcast packet. Instead, the Foreign Agent obtains the subnet from the broadcast packet, identifies the Mobile Node(s) on that subnet, and duplicates the broadcast packet for transmission to the identified Mobile Node(s).