Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a collection of wireless mobile nodes
that dynamically form a network temporarily without any support of central
management. They utilize multi-hop radio relaying and are capable of
operating without the support of any fixed infrastructure. It acts as an
effective communication in dynamic operation environments such as military
operations, emergency operation for disaster recovery and for missions like
search and rescue. Also the lack of fixed infrastructure makes these networks
attractive for several distributed applications like sensing and internet access
to deprived communities. For example, a VANET (Vehicular Adhoc
Network), is a type of MANET that allows vehicles to communicate with
road side equipment. While the vehicles may not have a direct internet
connection, the wireless road side equipment may be connected to the
internet, allowing data from the vehicles to be sent over the Internet. Various
research communities are working in the field of MANET and trying to
adopt the protocols and technology in other applications as well.