Reliable multicasting in ad-hoc networks — Simulated analysis of different protocols and open challenges

A number of multicast protocols support group communication in mobile ad-hoc networks, i.e. MANET. The main purpose of these protocols is to deliver multicast packets in an efficient and reliable manner. However, a number of issues remain with each of these protocols. By the very characteristic of ad-hoc networks, topological changes are fast, disorderly and unpredictable. Further, since the task of routing and forwarding of the packet is also managed by nodes itself, it necessitates exploring and determining the use as well as suitability of these multicasting protocols in differing scenario requirements. The paper brings out a simulated analysis of different ad-hoc multicast protocols like AMRoute, ODMRP etc. in different network scenarios, as well as open challenges in these protocols, the node mobility impact, besides the impact of number of senders and the multicast group size. By way of such a comparative analysis of ad-hoc multicast protocols, the paper tries to fill the current gap in their appropriate understanding with regard to their strength as well as weaknesses and suitability in different environments. The study and the comparative analysis of various multicasting routing protocols shall help in choosing an appropriate and most suitable multicasting protocol in a given scenario and thus add value to the current state of research in this area.