Protocol for peer-to-peer networking in mobile environments

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) as well as mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) follow the same idea of creating a network without the help of central entities. However P2P and MANETs operate on different network layers. A combination of both, creates new services and possibilities, but also faces several problems. Introducing P2P computing in ad-hoc networks without considering the particular requirements of ad hoc networks has a poor performance. This paper addresses these problems and introduces the mobile peer-to-peer protocol (MPP) suite as novel approach. It spans from the network layer to the application layer, and tries to reuse existing protocols as far as possible. MPP allows a realistic operation of Peer-to-Peer services over ad hoc networks. The Peer-to-Peer layer must be well aware about the wireless network to minimize the traffic and to cope with frequent route breaks. Additionally the network layer needs knowledge about the Peer-to-Peer application, in order to establish routes only to appropriate communication partners. MPP thus forms the necessary framework to allow the creation of a vast variety of different services over ad hoc networks.