Epidemic-based approaches for reliable multicast in mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract

We present a classification of epidemic-based approaches utilized in the context of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) with a focus on reliable multicast protocols. We provide a brief description of the other approaches to reliable multicasting in MANETs as well. Then, we describe our protocol, namely EraMobile, offering Epidemic-based Reliable and Adaptive Multicast for Mobile ad hoc networks. EraMobile's target is group applications requiring high-level of reliability and the protocol aims to provide fully reliable multicast data delivery with minimal network overhead even in the adverse network conditions. EraMobile utilizes an epidemic-based method in multicast operation to cope with dynamic and unpredictable topology changes arising from the mobility. Our epidemic mechanism does not require the maintenance of any tree- or mesh-like structure for multicasting. It also needs neither having global or partial view of the network nor having information of neighboring nodes and group members. Besides, it substantially minimizes the overhead incurred by eliminating redundant data transmissions. Another distinguishing feature of EraMobile is its capability of adapting to varying node densities in order to provide reliable data delivery in both sparse networks, where the network connectivity is prone to interruptions, and dense networks, where congestion is likely to occur. EraMobile is shown to achieve fully reliable multicast data delivery studied through extensive simulations by outperforming the other protocols compared, especially in terms of both packet delivery ratio and overhead efficiency.