Experimental comparison of routing and middleware solutions for mobile ad hoc networks: legacy vs cross-layer approach

Abstract

In this paper we present an experimental evaluation of a full ad hoc network architecture with particular attention to routing and middleware layers. In particular we set up a MANET prototype on which we performed a large set of experiments: in a first phase, we analyzed performances of a proactive and a reactive routing protocols in case of low mobility scenarios in small-medium scale ad hoc networks; then we studied the performances of a first prototype of an optimized p2p system for ad hoc networks (CrossROAD), based on a cross-layer interaction with a proactive routing protocol. Our analysis shows that the use of a proactive routing protocol does not negatively influence system performances, furthermore it allows the optimization of a structured p2p system on ad hoc networks, providing a complete and timely updated knowledge of the network topology. In this way, the overlay network is completely self-organizing and correctly manages network partitioning and topology changes.