Management of Quality of Service and other functions in mobile Ad Hoc networks

Abstract

This Masters thesis deals with management of mobile Ad Hoc networks, with main focus on QoS management. The needs for management of such networks and the challenges in managing them are an important part of the theoretical discussion. Different methods like SNMP, ANMP, Guerrilla management and Policy-based management are described and evaluated in order to be used in management of mobile Ad Hoc networks. The task of managing a MANET is important in order to maintain an effective and stable network. Securing the transmission of data and avoiding unauthorized network users are important security tasks. Access to an updated topology map, viewing all the network nodes and their belonging links, are vital input for the manager in order to get total overview of the network. Configuring the network with adequate QoS will give increased quality for important traffic. Considering the state of affairs on the different management methods and the time we had at our disposal, SNMP was the chosen management method for further testing. We focused on real network implementation and testing. The goal of the test was to prove the theoretical assumptions made on SNMP and to state its suitability for management of mobile Ad Hoc networks. Based on theory and testing we found that SNMP is suited for small mobile Ad Hoc networks. Because of its centralized architecture and frequent polling of data, many network nodes will result in much overhead. Larger networks would benefit from a more event-based collection of information and clustering of the management nodes. Policybased management together with ANMP seems like a good solution in managing mobile Ad Hoc networks, especially for QoS management.