RFC 2501 (rfc2501) - Page 2 of 12
Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET): Routing Protocol Performance Issues and Evaluation Considerations
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 2501 MANET Performance Issues January 1999
connected via a wireless link, dial-up line, etc. Supporting this
form of host mobility (or nomadicity) requires address management,
protocol interoperability enhancements and the like, but core network
functions such as hop-by-hop routing still presently rely upon pre-
existing routing protocols operating within the fixed network. In
contrast, the goal of mobile ad hoc networking is to extend mobility
into the realm of autonomous, mobile, wireless domains, where a set
of nodes--which may be combined routers and hosts--themselves form
the network routing infrastructure in an ad hoc fashion.
2. Applications
The technology of Mobile Ad hoc Networking is somewhat synonymous
with Mobile Packet Radio Networking (a term coined via during early
military research in the 70's and 80's), Mobile Mesh Networking (a
term that appeared in an article in The Economist regarding the
structure of future military networks) and Mobile, Multihop, Wireless
Networking (perhaps the most accurate term, although a bit
cumbersome).
There is current and future need for dynamic ad hoc networking
technology. The emerging field of mobile and nomadic computing, with
its current emphasis on mobile IP operation, should gradually broaden
and require highly-adaptive mobile networking technology to
effectively manage multihop, ad hoc network clusters which can
operate autonomously or, more than likely, be attached at some
point(s) to the fixed Internet.
Some applications of MANET technology could include industrial and
commercial applications involving cooperative mobile data exchange.
In addition, mesh-based mobile networks can be operated as robust,
inexpensive alternatives or enhancements to cell-based mobile network
infrastructures. There are also existing and future military
networking requirements for robust, IP-compliant data services within
mobile wireless communication networks [1]--many of these networks
consist of highly-dynamic autonomous topology segments. Also, the
developing technologies of "wearable" computing and communications
may provide applications for MANET technology. When properly combined
with satellite-based information delivery, MANET technology can
provide an extremely flexible method for establishing communications
for fire/safety/rescue operations or other scenarios requiring
rapidly-deployable communications with survivable, efficient dynamic
networking. There are likely other applications for MANET technology
which are not presently realized or envisioned by the authors. It
is, simply put, improved IP-based networking technology for dynamic,
autonomous wireless networks.
Corson & Macker Informational