Title: Data sharing in mobile ad-hoc networks – a study of replication and performance in the MIDAS data space

Authors: Matija Puzar, Thomas Plagemann

Addresses: University Center for Information Technology Services (USIT), University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1086 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. ' Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1080 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: The dynamic nature of mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) can easily lead to data being inaccessible due to constant route changes and network partitions. One method often used for increasing reliability and availability of data is replication. However, replication comes with costs, those of transferring and storing data and keeping track of consistency between replicas. For that reason, we have identified the core factors impacting the resulting network traffic. We have performed experimental studies with a real world prototype of a distributed data management system for MANETs, called MIDAS data space. Furthermore, we have done an extensive simulation study showing where table replicas should be placed in the network, in order to minimise network traffic generated by access to the databases and by the synchronisation data. The results of the experiments are consistent and show that by using clustering techniques we can achieve close-to-optimal traffic by placing replicas on approximately 10% of nodes.

Keywords: mobile ad hoc networks; MANETs; middleware; data space; prototype; experiments; replication; availability; network performance; network traffic; synchronisation; clustering; data sharing; mobile networks; distributed data management; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSC.2011.040340

International Journal of Space-Based and Situated Computing, 2011 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.137 - 150

Published online: 26 Mar 2015 *

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