On the repair time scaling wall for MANETs

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of the repair time scaling wall in MANETs, explaining how the interaction between path failure dynamics and repair times limits network scalability beyond 100 nodes.

Contribution

It shifts the focus from capacity limitations to the interaction of mobility-induced failures and repair times as the primary scaling barrier in MANETs.

Findings

Identifies the repair time scaling wall as a key factor in MANET scalability.

Explains how path failure and repair dynamics cause observed scaling limits.

Proposes techniques to extend MANET scalability beyond current limits.

Abstract

The inability of practical MANET deployments to scale beyond about 100 nodes has traditionally been blamed on insufficient network capacity for supporting routing related control traffic. However, this paper points out that network capacity is significantly under-utilized by standard MANET routing algorithms at observed scaling limits. Therefore, as opposed to identifying the scaling limit for MANET routing from a capacity stand-point, it is instead characterized as a function of the interaction between dynamics of path failure (caused due to mobility) and path repair. This leads to the discovery of the repair time scaling wall, which is used to explain observed scaling limits in MANETs. The factors behind the repair time scaling wall are identified and techniques to extend the scaling limits are described.