A unified framework for resource discovery and QoS-aware provider selection in ad hoc networks

Abstract

With the rising popularity of network-based applications and the potential use of mobile ad hoc networks in civilian life, an efficient resource discovery service is needed in such networks for quickly locating resource providers. In addition, to improve user experience, QoS awareness is also crucial. In this paper, we identify the challenges when basic resource discovery techniques for the Internet are used in mobile ad hoc networks. We then propose a framework that provides a unified solution to the discovery of resources and QoS-aware selection of resource providers. The key entities of this framework are a set of self-organized discovery agents. These agents manage the directory information of resources using hash indexing. They also dynamically partition the network into domains and collect intra- and inter-domain QoS information to select appropriate providers. Simulation results show that our framework improves the QoS delivered to the clients, while the cost and response time are kept at a low level.