A pool of functional server nodes in a packet data network, and method of transferring a given mobile terminal from a current functional server node to a target functional server node in the pool. An interface enables each functional server node to control any, or a number of, radio network control nodes. When a transfer is desired, the pool selects the target functional server node and initiates a transfer of control responsibility for the given mobile terminal's connections from the current functional server node to the selected target functional server node. The control responsibility is then transferred to the selected target functional server node without interrupting service to the given mobile terminal.