A Versatile Clustering-based Consensus Protocol In Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Consensus Problem is the basic problem in the mobile Ad Hoc network. Using unrealizable failure detector, there are many solutions. In accordance with the applicable scope, solutions of the consensus problem can be divided into two categories:specific solution and versatile solution. The two solutions have different characteristics. Specific solution has many types, excellent performance, and can solve complex problems. But restrictions of its applicable scope are very strict. Compare to these, versatile solution has fewer varieties, poorer performance, but less applicable restrictions. How to solve this contradiction is an important issue to consider in designing consensus protocol.A versatile clustering-based consensus (VCBC) protocol to solve the consensus problem in mobile Ad Hoc networks was proposed in this paper. The VCBC protocol includes Detect and Cluster layer (DC Layer) and Reach Consensus layer (RC Layer). The DC layer clusters the network into two layers and uses FD to provide the network status to consensus layer, the clustering method can reduce the number of messages in order to save the cost. Meanwhile RC layer uses the information provides by DC layer through a versatile model to solve the consensus problem. Through the simulation result of the NS-2, the VCBC is better than VCP with the parameters of NR, NH and ET.The versatility of VCBC protocol is shown in the message exchange pattern and the number of mobile host that can be crashed. The message exchange pattern includes Fully Integrated Control, Distributed Control and Mixing Control. The number of crashed nodes can vary from0to n-1. By constraining both of the conditions, a family of protocol can be driven from the VCBC protocol. Thus this is a versatile way to solve the consensus problem in mobile Ad Hoc networks.