MANET Routing Protocol Performance Comparison: DSDV, AODV, and DSR

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) may self-configure and rely on wireless connections rather than a permanent infrastructure; hence this research delves into their intricacies. This research aims to better understand how MANETs function. MANETs are characterized by their high degree of dynamism and adaptability to changes in network architecture. These networks are made up of mobile nodes that are independent and can perform the functions of both a host and a router. Having said that, this flexibility does provide a number of substantial issues, notably in the area of routing. The unexpected and fluid nature of MANET topology, which is related to the mobility of the nodes, makes routing a hard process. The effectiveness of the network is strongly reliant on the efficacy of the routing protocols that are implemented; therefore this is an important consideration. Our study analyses the capabilities of three popular MANET routing protocols: DSDV, AODV, and DSR. These protocols must be compared using end-to-end latency, packet delivery percentage, and lost packet ratio across different network densities and mobility patterns. In our simulations, we seek to replicate a wide variety of situations that can occur in the real world by altering the number of nodes, the connection counts, and the pause periods. These simulations are carried out with the help of the Network Simulator 2 (version 2.35), a programme that is well-known for its use in network research. Additionally, the graphical representation of the data is carried out with the assistance of gnuplot. Our first findings suggest that AODV has a significant advantage over DSDV and DSR when it comes to handling the dynamic networking environment of MANETs more effectively. This is especially true in situations characterised by high node mobility and variable network density. This research not only highlights the necessity of selecting the appropriate routing protocol in MANETs, but it also offers a thorough framework for assessing their performance in a variety of different operational scenarios. Specifically, the study focuses on the relevance of selecting the appropriate routing protocol.