Performance comparison of intentional caching schemes in disruption-tolerant networks (DTN)

Abstract

DTN abbreviated as disruption-tolerant networks is the opportunistic network, characterized by irregular network connectivity, long and variable delays, asymmetric data rates and low node density. Data access is the big research issue in DTNs because of its distinguishing characteristics. To improve the data access in DTN, schemes like caching and replication were introduced, to provide a distributed storage of data in the network thereby increasing the data availability. This paper differentiates some of the intentional caching techniques such as cooperative caching, duration aware caching, adaptive caching and distributed caching based on various parameters like contact duration, caching cost, cache node election process and forwarding schemes. Upon simulation with ONE, these schemes were found to increase delivery probability and reduce data access delay to a greater extent, thereby improving the performance of the network.