An efficient query packets forward algorithm in ZRP protocol

Ad hoc networks are self-organizing wireless networks composed of wireless nodes. These networks need not any fixed infrastructure. Since ad-hoc networks have frequently varying topology and asymmetric links, selection of routing protocols is an important consideration. The Zone Routing Protocol (ZRP) is a hybrid ad hoc routing protocol which combines the best features of the proactive and reactive approaches. ZRP maintains an up-to-date topological map of a zone, which is centred on each node. The routes are immediately available within the zone. However, for destinations outside the zone, ZRP employs a route discovery procedure, which can benefit from the local routing information of the zones. The performance of ZRP is better than reactive and proactive protocols. However, in the route search process many inside member of the routing zone of a node unnecessarily forward the query packets, this result in the increase of network load and decrease of network performance. In this paper an algorithm for controlling the forwarding of these query packets will be provided. These query packets are forwarded by the nodes which are the local zone member of that node which has immediately broadcasted or forwarded these query packets. Hence by limiting these query packets forwarding inside the local zone of a node minimize the network traffic and load and improve the performance of the ZRP for ad hoc network. Qualnet 5.0.2 network simulator has used for obtaining simulation results and performance parameters and it is observed that performance is increased.