Evaluating the Effect of Variable Buffer Size and Message Lifetimes in A Disconnected Mobile Opportunistic Network Environment

Abstract

The importance of using a mobile opportunistic network is that it allows users to communicate and exchange packets with one another from anywhere and at any time without the need for infrastructure. A mobile opportunistic network is a type of delay-tolerant network that is evolving from mobile ad hoc networks. This network is distinguished by its infrequent connectivity. End-to-end data transmission connections are not available here, and they rely on the store, carry, and forward mechanisms. A node receives packets, stores them in their buffers, carries them while moving, and forwards them to other nodes when they come across each other when transmitting a message to its proper destination. However, if two nodes do not come across each other, the nodes’ buffer sizes fill up or overflow, resulting in packet loss. As a result, we analyzed the performance of zero-information-based routing protocols such as Epidemic, SprayandWait, MaxProp, and Information-rich routing protocol in a mobile opportunistic network with varying buffer sizes, message lifetimes, and mobility models scenarios in this study. These simulations are carried out using a synthetic-based mobility model and the Opportunistic Network Environment (ONE) simulation tool, with three performance criteria in mind: delivery probability, overhead ratio, and average latency. By the end of the simulation, MaxProp from zero-information algorithms has a higher delivery ratio than the other protocols in all scenarios, according to the simulation setups.