Cyber Times International Journal of Technology & Management

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) are self configuring, infrastructure less networks where the participating nodes are working as host as well as routers. Because of the absence of central infrastructure and mobility of nodes selection of a routing protocol has become a great issue. IETF MANET group has given certain qualitative parameters in order to select a protocol. These parameters define the inhibited characteristics of a protocol. They have classified these protocols as proactive, reactive and hybrid routing protocols depending upon their characteristics. This paper is presented as a part of an ongoing research work. Through this paper we are explaining different protocols and comparing them on the given qualitative parameters.