In one embodiment, a method for supporting backward compatibility in a mobile network can include: receiving a packet in a first device that can support a first protocol; forming a modified packet by adding a field to the packet, where the field is related to a context for a second protocol; and providing the modified packet to a second device, where the second device can support the first and second protocols. The context can include a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context and the field can include a PDP identifier. The mobility layer can include Mobile IP, for example. The first and second protocols can be Mobile IP and PDP, respectively.