ABSTRACT
A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) consists of a collection of wireless mobile nodes dynamically forming a temporary network without the use of any existing network infrastructure or centralized administration. In such a network, nodes operate as both end hosts and routers, forwarding packets for other mobile nodes that may not be within the direct transmission range of each other. MANETs are formed with the key motivation that users can benefit from collaborations with each other. The applications enabled by such collaborations often require services for locating resources, sharing information and data, multicasting, etc. In addition, due to the infrastructure-less environment, these applications should be designed to operate in a decentralized manner.
