304|Int. J. of Multidisciplinary and Current research, March/April 2014 International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Research Research Article ISSN: 2321-3124 Available at: http://ijmcr.com Routing protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks: A comparative study B. Nandini* 1 , Prof. Suresh Pabboju 2 , Dr.G.Narasimha 3 1 Asst. Prof., Dept of CSE, TU, NZB. 2 Prof. Suresh Pabboju, Head, Dept of CSE, CBIT, HYD. 3 Assoc. Prof., Dept of CSE, JNTUH, HYD. * Corresponding author Mobile: 919441862510, Fax: 08421 222212 Accepted 02 April 2014, Available online 15 April 2014, Vol.2 (March/April 2014 issue) Abstract A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a particular type of mobile ad hoc network (MANET), which aims to provide high bandwidth access for a large number of users. Shared nature of the wireless medium, static nodes and diversity of multiple paths between source and destination nodes makes designing of routing protocols makes a challenging task for wireless mesh networks when throughput, delay and protocols overhead taken into consideration. In this paper we present common metrics considered in routing protocol design and complete comparative analysis between some of the most deployed routing protocols in the wireless mesh networks along with simulation results for throughput, overhead and overall delay. Keywords: Wireless mesh networks, routing, routing metrics, Introduction A wireless mesh networks (WMNs) comprises a number of devices with the ability to communicate via radio. Wireless links are formed between nodes within range of each other. These links are self-forming, Self-organizing and self-healing. The mesh network architecture is composed of three different network elements: network gateways, access points (mesh routers), mobile nodes (mesh clients) [1]. Network gateway element allows access to the wired infrastructure, possibly the Internet or other local networks. Normally to reach the present day requirements more than one gateway can be deployed in wireless mesh networks. Access points (APs) form the network backbone spanning over wide areas as shown in fig 1. APs are easy to deploy, Low cost and flexible. Users connect to the APs using wired or wireless links. APs are assumed to be static, with a low failure probability, and no power constraints. This mesh of APs provides communication between mobile nodes and network gateways. Mesh clients are end-user devices, such as laptops, cell phones and PDAs with varying degrees of mobility. Mesh clients access internet through mesh routers. According to their position and transmission capabilities they can communicate directly with the mesh gateway. In WMN, Only gateway nodes physically connected to the broadband router. The WMNs provide support for applications that are not possible with other existing wireless networks such as cellular networks, sensor networks, and ad-hoc networks etc. WMNs are capable of providing attractive services in a wide range of application scenarios, such as broadband home, enterprise, community networking and disaster management. Traffic in WMNs is expected to high in volume and predominantly between IGWs and the MRs, which places higher demand on certain paths connecting gateways and routers [2]. The design of WMNs need focus on aspects including multi-path routing, load balancing, proper traffic distribution policy, scalability among others. Because of few common features among WMNs and MANETs, routing protocols developed for MANETs are also applicable for WMNs. Some of the commonly used