Emulating Dynamic Topologies for Repeatable Experiments with Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

While analysis and simulation experiments are essential in exploring fundamental properties of various technologies and protocols, experiments with real, or at least prototype, systems arc necessary to move mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) from the domain of a research topic to real applications. A major obstacle to the collection of reliable performance results in a MANET test bed is poor repeatability. Our approach is to use a hybrid testbed, consisting of wireless (802.11-based) nodes and a wired network capable of emulating dynamic topologies. In this paper, we describe a testbed capable of emulating dynamic topologies, augmented by experiments on an IEEE 802.11b-based wireless network and describe the use of the testbed in research on protocols and integration for mobile ad hoc networks. We also discuss the transition of research using the testbed into part of a hands-on undergraduate course in wireless networks and mobile systems.