Evaluation of peer-to-peer network content discovery techniques over mobile ad hoc networks

Both mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are decentralized and self-organizing networks with dynamic topology and are responsible for routing queries in a distributed environment. Because MANETs are composed of resource-constrained devices susceptible to faults, whereas P2P networks are fault-tolerant, P2P networks are the ideal data sharing system for MANETs. We have conducted an evaluation of two approaches for P2P content discovery running over a MANET. The first, based on unstructured P2P networks, relies on controlled flooding, while the second, based on structured P2P networks, uses distributed indexing to optimize searches. We use simulations to evaluate the effect of network size, mobility, channel error rates, network workload, and application dynamics in the performance of P2P protocols over MANETs. Results show that unstructured protocols are the most resilient, although at higher energy and delay costs. Structured protocols, conversely, consume less energy and are more appropriate for MANETs where topology is mostly static.