Opportunistic Networks Report - Assignment Solution

INTRODUCTION

The widespread availability of mobile devices worldwide has been seen recent technological advancements in the field of networking. The advancement in this field has made opportunistic networks one of the most renowned and promising technology for the next-generation mobile applications  [1]. Opportunistic networks (OPPNETs) are the emerging networking paradigm where communication is done on the fly whenever the communication links become available. Even in the absence of direct network routing, the communication between two mobile devices can be performed through sporadic connectivity [1]. OPPNETs are the future of communication technologies where the networking paradigms rely on heterogeneous networking. Due to recent advancement in the wireless communication area, the OPPNETs seem to open promising dimensions for future mobile applications. OPPNETs and delay tolerant networks (DTN) are often used interchangeably [2].  

OPPNET is easily incorporated networking paradigm that can extend the existing wireless networks including 3G and Wi-Fi [3]. The data is communicated between two devices whenever they are in mutual wireless transmission range. OPNET allow dissemination of data in peer-to-peer manner just like humans when they interact and cooperate with each other while staying in mobility. According to Chaintreau et al. (2007), the major motivation for OPPNET comes from the emerging trend of pervasive computing where different mobile devices manipulate the communicational environment for disseminating the data. Several nodes are present for OPPNET data communication that are equipped with sensing capability, short-range radio transmission functionality, large memory and wireless connection presence [4]. 

In OPPNETs, the nodes are the mobile devices that can be carried by the users easily. These nodes contain wireless properties and can change their locations whenever and wherever networks are present. The routing decisions in OPPNETs are made based on knowledge availability of a particular node [3]. Hence, the complete communication network topology or path in OPPNETs does not exist. Hop by Hop packets are utilized by nodes in OPPNETs for transferring data to the other node for delivering information to its destination in the network [5]. In OPPNETs, the communication devices can be easily carried by vehicles, animals and people. The connection between different nearby nodes can make up a small mobile ad hoc network that can dynamically change with time and destination [3].

WORKING OF OPPNETs

Under OPPNETs, the nodes are usually connected wirelessly. These nodes can be either mobile, stable or even be fixed with finite communication rage for dissemination of data. However, the nodes can only pass on the information to other nodes when the range allows them to connect with each other [6]. The data/information to be disseminated stays stored in the nodes until another node comes into range. The message reaches its destination by travelling through different nodes after staying connected within a given range. In real life, the OPPNETs allow the individuals to send email messages through connecting nodes [6]. The figure 1 below shows how a message from one computer travels through different nodes i.e. through nearby bus WiFi to a person’s mobile who is travelling on bus and then through that mobile to a cyclists’ mobile and then through cyclists’ mobile to a person who is passing by the office and then through that person to the final intended receivers’ laptop.