A parameter-based service discovery protocol for mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

Application of traditional service discovery solutions to mobile ad-hoc networks is a challenging task due to their intrinsic dynamic nature and the absence of any central information manager. However, service discovery is a critical aspect of service oriented technologies, e.g. remote service execution or, particularly service composition. We propose a solution for service discovery in mobile ad-hoc networks which is based on the dissemination of information about services' parameters instead of service unique identifiers. Disseminated information is subsequently used during service search in order to reduce the number of propagated messages. In our solution, performed searches are maintained in the network until they are explicitly cancelled by source nodes. We also state that the usage of a shared taxonomy of parameter types reduces the number of propagated messages during dissemination and search. The proposed protocol has been fully implemented and tested using a network simulator. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.