Mobile ad-hoc networks are the networks established by more than one node in an arbitrary fashion. These types of networks operate in the absence of a fixed infrastructure. This feature makes their deployment fast and easy. Mobile ad-hoc networks can be used to provide network facilities in places where it isn't possible to form a fixed network, or where it isn't cost effective to do so.

Most work in the area of wireless technology focuses on wireless fixed networks, while less attention has been paid to the mobile ad-hoc networks. Over the last few years, the invention of technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Home RF (radio frequency) have brought dramatic changes in the field of mobile ad-hoc networks.

Although there are numerous benefits to the mobile ad-hoc network, due to their nature, they're vulnerable and not deployable on a large scale because of the limits of technology. This article highlights some of the technical aspects of mobile ad-hoc networks with a brief discussion of the mechanisms currently in use, and how they overcome the challenges posed by this technology.

Routing in the ad-hoc network
Routing, or the process of exchanging information from one host to others in a network, is an important aspect to examine. Without having a proper routing mechanism, one cannot attain the fundamental aspect of forming a network -- in other words, your network won't network. After all, the whole idea of establishing a network is to make a connection between two or more different parties for the sharing of information. A network without a proper routing strategy cannot provide smooth information transmission.

Why is routing in mobile ad-hoc networks a problem? The answer is fairly simple: because these networks operate in the absence of a fixed infrastructure. Existing Internet protocols have been designed to support networks with a fixed infrastructure. These protocols don't perform well in ad-hoc network environments.

In the last decade, efforts have been made to develop an efficient routing strategy. The initial solution was to consider each host a router, with routing being done by conventional protocol across the network.

If the problem were limited only to routing, there might be a possibility of inventing some sort of routing mechanism. However, routing in an ad-hoc network is related to other factors in the network.