Self-stabilizing network-layer auto-configuration for mobile ad hoc network nodes

This paper describes a self-stabilizing protocol which enables the reactive auto-configuration of multi-protocol mobile ad hoc network nodes. The spatially and temporally diverse nature of ad hoc networks suggests the development of a more sophisticated network-layer that enables the network´s nodes to choose their preferred routing protocol from an array of protocols with varying abilities. However, the configuration of such a dependent variable, and one with network-wide significance, is a non-trivial task in a distributed system. This paper focuses on the problems that arise in developing a configuration protocol which does not compromise the inherent distributed, open and infrastructure-independent traits of an ad hoc networking system. Self-stabilization is identified in this paper as a suitable technique on which to base such a robust and distributed autonomous configuration protocol. The protocol takes the form of a stateless configuration initialisation (SCl) protocol which is coupled with a configuration conflict detection & resolution (CCDR) protocol.