List of ad hoc routing protocols

An ad hoc routing protocol is a convention, or standard, that controls how <a href="/facts/Node_(networking)/LBp2vNcJ">nodes</a> decide which way to <a href="/facts/Routing/Ml6MVCaC">route</a> <a href="/facts/Packet_(information_technology)/xCYf8SJu">packets</a> between computing devices in a <a href="/facts/Mobile_ad_hoc_network/Gwb3FlAD">mobile ad hoc network</a>.
In ad hoc networks, nodes are not familiar with the <a href="/facts/Network_topology/rBYE0kke">topology</a> of their networks. Instead, they have to discover it: typically, a new node announces its presence and listens for announcements broadcast by its neighbors. Each node learns about others nearby and how to reach them, and may announce that it too can reach them.
Note that in a wider sense, ad hoc protocol can also be used literally, to mean an improvised and often impromptu <a href="/facts/Protocol_(computing)/5uady7cB">protocol</a> established for a specific purpose.
The following is a list of some ad hoc network routing protocols.

List of ad hoc routing protocols open-in-new

List of ad hoc routing protocols