Impact of Mobility on Enactment of Routing Protocols Associated with Ad Hoc Networks - Term Paper Example

 An automated system known as a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is integrated within the wireless networks to establish communication between wireless nodes or access points. However, MANET does not have a centralized administration. MANET is defined as “Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) refers to a type of mobile network in which each node has the ability to act as a router, permitting adaptable multi-hop communications” [3]. The ad-hoc on-demand distant vector protocol (AODV) that is operated by MANET provides loopholes for hackers to gain access to the network or the system via a wireless network.

AODV is widely used due to its significant advantages such as lower network overhead with a complex algorithm. However, AODV does not maintain the database for routing information in the router. This is the area where there is a possibility of hackers breaking in the network. IntroductionMANET is constructed on multiple routers knows as multi-hop communication paths, these multi-hop communication paths can be dislocated any time and in any direction. The routing protocols that are associated with MANET are categorized into hybrid, table-driven, and demand-driven routing protocols [1].

Table-driven protocols attempt to synchronize routing information with the routing table for each wireless router. For example, Destination Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV) and Wireless Routing Protocol (WRP) protocols fall under the category of table-driven protocols. Demand-driven protocols are associated with AODV and dynamic source routing protocol (DSR). Hybrid routing protocols interlinks with the other two protocols i.e. table-driven and demand-driven routing protocols. The wireless MANET network is associated with protocols that are not well designed in terms of network security, as there is no centralized administration to monitor or configure MANET.

However, most of the wireless network protocols associated with MANET is designed for optimum bandwidth utilization but not for optimal security. These factors have made the wireless network vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals. One of the examples of mesh networks is illustrated in Fig. 1. Figure 1 Source: (Siraj and Bakar 1263-1271) One of the latest examples for mesh networks is the youtube architecture, as shown in Fig 1.2. Figure 2 Source: (Staehle et al. 144-148) In this competitive and evolutionary world of technological advancements, threats and vulnerabilities are a great concern.