Net-X

Abstract

The use of multiple wireless channels has been advocated as one approach for enhancing network capacity. In many scenarios, hosts will be equipped with fewer radio interfaces than available channels. Under these scenarios, several protocols, which require interfaces to switch frequently, have been proposed. However, implementing protocols which require frequent interface switching in existing operating systems is non-trivial. In this paper, we identify the features needed in the operating system kernel for supporting frequent interface switching. We present a new channel abstraction module to support frequent interface switching. We identify modifications to interface device drivers to reduce switching delay. The channel abstraction module and an example multichannel protocol that uses the module have been implemented in a multichannel multi-interface testbed. Our implementation efforts are part of the Net-X project which is aimed at developing operating system support for exploiting various forms of diversity available in a wireless network in the form of multiple channels, interfaces, transmission rates, transmission power-levels, etc.

Heuristic Algorithms for Constructing Interference-Free and Delay-Constrained Multicast Trees for Wireless Mesh Networks

“…As a result, it is an inefficient approach for WMNs with single-interface. A study on modification of the operating system kernel is then represented for supporting frequent channel switching [7].…”