A scalable workbench for implementing and evaluating distributed applications in mobile ad-hoc networks

This work presents a Java-based development platform aimed to ease the task of building applications for mobile multihop ad-hoc networks. The platform follows a threetier development principle composed of simulation, emulation and deployment on real mobile devices. Opposed to pure network simulators, this development environment primarily focuses on an easy to use event-based programming model and scalability regarding simulating thousands of mobile devices. Additionally, utmost code reuse is provided, since attaching real hardware to the simulation and running the application on real devices are an integral part of the workbench. Performance evaluation by means of a benchmark application demonstrates that simulating over ten thousand mobile devices can be performed faster than in real-time. Also experiences gained from implementing a mobile auction system for ad-hoc networks proved that the integral parts for emulating and deployment are of high value when building real life applications for mobile multihop ad-hoc networks.