Routing Protocols for Mobile Ad-Hoc Network: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Routing in MANET is a challenging task due to the dynamic nature of the participating nodes in MANET. This challenge has led to the development of many different routing protocols, with each originator claiming that his or her proposed protocol was more effective than its predecessors were. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of these protocols relies on the prevailing network scenarios, which differ in terms of node density and traffic. Against this challenging backdrop, the authors provide an overview of the different MANET protocols, such as OLSR, AODV, DSR, DSDV, ZRP and TORA, which are broadly classified based on three categories, namely Proactive (table-driven), Reactive (on-demand) and Hybrid routing protocol. The authors then provide a comparative analysis of the different protocols based on qualitative metrics. This paper concludes by highlighting the expected performance of each protocol for a particular network environment, which is deemed suitable based on the specific characteristics of the protocol.

MANET performance evaluation for DSDV, DSR and ZRP

“…The proactive protocol is a table-driven protocol that largely depends on link state techniques to provide information about its network neighbors and to keep track of each node's route and course within the network [14]. DSDV is an example of a proactive protocol.…”

“…Until the information packets reach their destination or the pathway is blocked, a path that has already been established won't change. Many procedures have been taken, such as adding a sequence number [14], to assist users in remembering the new path and preventing repetition. Reactive protocols, such as DSR, operate entirely on demand in every way.…”

Performance evaluation of two models in the reactive routing protocol in manets

“…Dissemination of information from a transmitter to all multicast receivers is supported by MANET multicast routing protocols. These protocols are divided into several types of multicast routing as meshbased, tree-based, and hybrid [7][8][9]. There are many routing protocols that automatically regulate the network for the purpose of arriving packets sent to their destination while traveling from one location to another and effectively, the classification of these protocols depends on the paths of the nodes that discover from the nodes themselves [10][11][12][13].…”

“…Route Maintenance: is the correction process that is made through periodic signals, because a break in the link leads to a path failure, because the network topology changes frequently due to the mobility of the nodes [7]. The example of this protocol are the ad hoc on-demand distance vector routing (AODV), temporary ordered routing protocol (TORA), signal stability based adaptive routing protocol (SSA), dynamic source routing (DSR), associativity based routing (ABR) [17][18][19].…”