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Assignment_ Ad Hoc on-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing Protocol

The document discusses the Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol, which is designed for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) that require flexible, infrastructure-less communication. AODV operates by establishing routes only when needed, minimizing control message overhead, and adapting efficiently to dynamic topologies. The assignment outlines AODV's characteristics, advantages, limitations, and various use cases, emphasizing its significance in scenarios like military operations and disaster recovery.

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2 views

Assignment_ Ad Hoc on-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing Protocol

The document discusses the Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol, which is designed for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) that require flexible, infrastructure-less communication. AODV operates by establishing routes only when needed, minimizing control message overhead, and adapting efficiently to dynamic topologies. The assignment outlines AODV's characteristics, advantages, limitations, and various use cases, emphasizing its significance in scenarios like military operations and disaster recovery.

Uploaded by

prarit.work
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment: Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Routing Protocol

Name: [Your Name]


Roll Number: [Your Roll Number]
Course: Data Networks and Communication
Submitted to: [Instructor's Name]
Submission Date: [Date]
________________________________________
Introduction
In the era of increasing demand for flexible, infrastructure-independent communication systems,
Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) have emerged as a significant area of research and
development. MANETs are self-configuring, infrastructure-less wireless networks of mobile
devices connected without fixed routers or centralized administration. They are especially useful
in scenarios where quick deployment is essential, such as military operations, disaster recovery,
and temporary networks for events. Routing in such dynamic environments is a core challenge
due to rapidly changing topologies and the absence of a fixed infrastructure.
To address these challenges, various routing protocols have been developed for MANETs.
Among them, the Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol stands out for
its reactive nature, scalability, and adaptability. AODV creates routes only when they are
needed, which helps minimize control message overhead and optimize performance in highly
dynamic environments. This assignment explores the structure, operation, benefits, and
limitations of AODV in detail.
Attach Diagram 1 here: Overview of MANET structure and challenges
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Overview of MANET and Need for AODV
MANETs are decentralized wireless systems where each node acts as both a host and a router.
Due to node mobility, the network topology can change frequently and unpredictably. Traditional
wired routing protocols like RIP and OSPF are unsuitable for MANETs because they assume a
relatively stable topology and rely on consistent route updates. Early MANET routing protocols
like DSDV and DSR introduced new paradigms but had drawbacks such as high overhead or
inefficiencies with frequent topology changes.
This led to the development of AODV, which combines the advantages of both reactive and
distance vector routing approaches. It creates routes only when required and maintains them as
long as needed, thereby optimizing resource usage. AODV solves issues such as stale routes,
high bandwidth consumption, and frequent updates faced by previous protocols.
Attach Diagram 2 here: Comparison of proactive vs. reactive routing
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AODV Routing Protocol
AODV is a reactive routing protocol designed specifically for MANETs. It operates on the
principle of establishing routes only when they are needed to transmit data. Each node in AODV
maintains a routing table that contains information about active routes, including the next hop,
destination address, hop count, and destination sequence number, which ensures route
freshness.
When a node wants to send data to a destination for which it does not have a route, it initiates a
route discovery process. This includes broadcasting a Route Request (RREQ) message. When
a suitable route is found, a Route Reply (RREP) is sent back to the source, and the route is
established. If a route becomes invalid due to link failure, a Route Error (RERR) message is
sent to inform the source.
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Characteristics and Features of AODV
AODV has several features that make it suitable for MANETs:
• On-demand route discovery: Routes are only established when needed, reducing
overhead.
• Loop-free routing: The use of sequence numbers prevents routing loops.
• Scalability: It performs well even as the number of nodes increases.
• Low memory usage: Only active routes are maintained.
• Quick adaptation to topology changes: Reacts efficiently to mobility.
These characteristics make AODV efficient and scalable in networks with dynamic topologies.
________________________________________
Control Messages/Protocols in AODV
AODV uses three main types of control messages to perform its routing functions:
1. Route Request (RREQ):
When a source node requires a route to a destination, it broadcasts a RREQ message. This
message contains the source and destination addresses, broadcast ID, and sequence numbers
to ensure freshness. Intermediate nodes forward the RREQ if they do not have a fresh enough
route.
2. Route Reply (RREP):
When the RREQ reaches either the destination or an intermediate node with a valid route, a
RREP is generated and sent back to the source node via the reverse path. The routing tables
are updated along the way.
3. Route Error (RERR):
If a link along an active route breaks, the node detecting the link failure sends an RERR
message to inform the source node of the unreachable destinations. This enables the source to
initiate a new route discovery if needed.
Attach Diagram 3 here: Flow of RREQ, RREP, and RERR messages
________________________________________
Route Discovery and Route Maintenance
The route discovery process begins when a node broadcasts a RREQ. Nodes receiving the
RREQ set up reverse paths to the source and forward the request until it reaches the
destination. The destination sends a RREP along the reverse path, establishing a forward route
to the destination.
AODV’s route maintenance is on-demand as well. If any link in an active route breaks, the
upstream node detects it and sends an RERR to the source. This mechanism ensures that only
valid routes are maintained and resources are not wasted on outdated paths. Routes expire
after a certain duration if they are not used, further optimizing network performance.
Attach Diagram 4 here: Route discovery and maintenance process
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Advantages of AODV
• Efficient bandwidth usage: By discovering routes only when needed, AODV minimizes
unnecessary control traffic.
• Loop-free routes: Sequence numbers help maintain up-to-date and loop-free routes.
• Scalability: Performs well in both small and large networks.
• On-demand route setup: Reduces overhead and improves performance.
________________________________________
Limitations of AODV
• Initial delay: Route discovery may introduce delay during the first data transmission.
• Frequent broadcasts: High mobility can cause frequent RREQ broadcasts, increasing
congestion.
• Security vulnerabilities: Lacks built-in security features and is vulnerable to attacks like
blackhole and wormhole.
________________________________________
Use Cases of AODV
AODV is widely used in scenarios where infrastructure-based networks are infeasible:
• Military applications: Rapid deployment and infrastructure-less communication.
• Disaster response networks: Emergency communication where networks need to be
established quickly.
• Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs): Communication between moving vehicles.
• Sensor networks: In environments where nodes are mobile and dynamic.
Attach Diagram 5 here: Application scenarios of AODV (e.g., disaster zones, military)
________________________________________
Conclusion
The Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol is a vital component in the
landscape of wireless and mobile networking. Its on-demand nature, loop-free routes, and
adaptability to frequent topology changes make it an ideal choice for MANETs. While it has
some limitations, continued research and enhancements such as secure and multipath variants
are making AODV even more robust and practical.
This assignment provided a structured and detailed overview of AODV, covering its motivation,
operation, advantages, and use cases, reaffirming its relevance in today’s dynamic wireless
communication systems.
________________________________________

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