The state of DTN evaluation

Abstract

The most common definition of a challenged network, or Delay-Tolerant Network, is one in which there is no guarantee of a contemporaneous end-to-end path from source to destination. Because of the breadth of of the field, a wide variety of evaluation techniques have been developed and utilized. The goal of this panel is to showcase and discuss an interesting and current selection of evaluation efforts. In this year’s CHANTS submissions over a third used the ONE simulator from Aalto University [1, 2]. Keeping in mind that not all papers were based on simulation, it is fair to say that the ONE is becoming the de-facto simulation tool for certain types of DTN research. This is beneficial in that it facilitates comparisons between routing protocols, and allows researchers to focus their efforts on a single accessible tool. However the growing body of work that compares protocols that exist only in simulation may indicate an over-reliance on simulation and could lead to overlooking important practical technical challenges in the field. Another approach to evaluation is to deploy trial nodes in a real environment. Masato Tsuru has been involved in such field tests in collaboration with Japan’s NIICT and will be able to discuss their reasons for carrying out their experiments and the challenges involved. In addition the DARPA DTN project involved a considerable amount of field testing, and BBN’s Armando Caro will be able to give his perspective on the value and importance of their tests.