Mobile ad hoc networking: an essential technology for pervasive computing

In the near future, a pervasive computing environment can be expected based on the recent progress and advances in computing and communication technologies. The next generation of mobile communications will include both prestigious infrastructured wireless networks and novel infrastructureless mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). A MANET is a collection of wireless nodes that can dynamically form a network to exchange information without using any pre-existing fixed network infrastructure. The special features of MANET bring this technology great opportunities together with severe challenges. This paper describes the fundamental problems of ad hoc networking by giving its related research background and including the concept, features, status and applications of MANET. Some of the technical challenges MANET poses are also presented, based on which the paper points out some of the key research issues for ad hoc networking technology that are expected to promote development and accelerate commercial applications. Special attention is paid to network layer routing strategy of MANET and key research issues include new X-cast routing algorithms, security and reliability schemes, QoS model and mechanisms for interworking with outside IP networks.