Performance evaluation of reactive and proactive routing schemes for infrastructure wireless mesh networks

Despite the significative differences between ad hoc networks and Infrastructure Wireless Mesh Networks (iWMNs), the routing schemes designed specifically for the formers have been considered as a potential solution for the routing dilemma in the latter; however, the performance and effects of such approach have not been deeply studied. In this paper we extend some features of popular reactive (AODV) and proactive (DSDV) routing protocols to be used under the hierarchical architecture of iWMNs. Through extensive simulations, we acquire a set of results that evidence the pros and cons of using these mechanisms. The results we get in this work allow us to identify design directions for future iWMNs routing protocols.