The document compares the AODV and OLSR routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks. AODV is a reactive protocol that establishes routes on demand, while OLSR is a proactive protocol that maintains routes to all nodes. OLSR generally has lower latency than AODV but higher overhead. Both protocols elect multipoint relays to reduce flooding. AODV uses less bandwidth but requires route discovery, while OLSR maintains all routes continuously.

1. Comparison Between AODV and OLSR

19. Operation of AODV Route Discovery: Whenever a source node has to send information to a destination, but doesn’t have a valid route to it, it initiates a route discovery process. The source creates an AODV RREQ (Route Request) packet. This packet contains the source node’s IP address, current (source) sequence number, destination IP address, last known destination sequence number (set to zero if no prior route exists), a broadcast ID , which is incremented with each RREQ and a Hop Count field set to zero.

26. Operation of AODV (cont..) Reverse Path Setup Forward Path Setup Fig. 2 Paths formed during the route discovery

27. Operation of AODV (cont..) Fig. 4.2.1 Propagation of RREQ Fig. 4.3.1 Route Maintenance and route determination