Context-Driven Self-configuration of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract

We present the design and implementation of a working prototype system that enables self-configuration in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) by exploiting context awareness and cross-layer design principles. The driving force behind the proposed system is to allow for self-configuration of MANETs by enabling them to be adaptive to varying conditions. Emphasis is placed on describing the requirements and specifications of the supporting platform's functionality. We propose the distributed management of the MANET through a proactively constructed body of nodes in order to cope with the inherently dynamic nature of MANETs. We present our work on deploying the designed system on our experimental MANET testbed and provide results of its performance based on extended testing. IntroductionThe concept of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) has brought a new paradigm in communication networks and acts as an enabler for pervasive computing and communication environments. In ad hoc networks, the mobile nodes (MNs) are free to move randomly and organize themselves arbitrarily; thus, the network's wireless topology may change rapidly and unpredictably. Conventional wireless networks require some form of fixed network infrastructure (i.e. the core network) and centralized administration for their operation. In contrast, since MANETs are selfcreating, individual MNs are responsible for dynamically discovering other nodes they can communicate with. This way of dynamically creating a network often requires the ability to rapidly create, deploy and manage services and protocols in response to user demands and surrounding conditions in an equally dynamic manner.We assert that this highly dynamic environment can benefit from the emerging context-driven autonomic communications paradigm. There has been no proper previous research on deploying autonomic communication solutions in MANETs, but such aspect is important due to their inherent nature. As such, autonomic communication principles can assist in the self-management of MANETs and enable network self-configuration and optimization by utilizing context information. The latter can be used to establish the need for automatic changes (self-configuration) in accordance to high-level pre-existing rules. Context-information can be used to trigger cross-layer changes (network and application configurations) according to predefined rules, leading to autonomic decision-making.

Optimizing wireless ad hoc communication resources with a knowledge plane

“…Those propositions assume information availability, while in fact they are restricted only to the protocols that produce them. Autonomic networking architectures create an autonomic management plane to control protocols as a whole [4], [12]- [16]. Autonomic behavior can be dictated by policies that implement adaptability to context.…”

A Novel Colored Time Petri Net Model for Policy Management and Context Awareness Procedure in MANET

“…The exploitation of context in network management had been addressed. Relevant adaptive systems were deployed, interacting with the surrounding environment and functioning according to relevant conditions [11][12][13][14]. The main drawback of all these approaches is the static evaluation of context against predefined rules.…”