A Cross Layer Collaborating Cache Scheme to Improve Performance of HTTP Clients in MANETs

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel cross layer collaborating cache scheme for HTTP clients. It is designed to accelerate the process that an HTTP client retrieves Web content in mobile ad hoc network environment. Unlike other techniques to exploit Web proxy caching or to build P2P protocol overlay to improve HTTP, our scheme incorporates collaboratively working capability into the HTTP client response cache, and thus there is no impact on the compatibility of upper level applications. In addition, as the sharing file information is diffused with routing information, there is no redundant traffic to maintain the cooperating cache mechanism. Using this scheme, cacheable Web content can be distributed among local peers and retrieved later by a client if needed. In our simulation results, this novel cache scheme significantly decreases the latency experienced by a client to download Web content.