Address management in MANETs using an ant colony metaphor

Abstract

Address management is a critical process in a network. Any node wishing to make part of a network must first obtain an address. Address management in MANETs poses particular challenges, due to their operation conditions, their dynamic topology and the unique events that take place inside them. This article presents an approach for solving the address management problem in this environment, using the self-organization and emergency principles governing the behavior of social insect colonies, particularly ant colonies. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.