Novel topological framework for adaptive routing

We identify that a major contributing factor to the shortcomings of current routing protocols is their mathematical treatment of graphs used to represent networks. Typically, routing protocols decimate the rich connectivity present in a network into a small number of distinct trees for every source, which are then translated into routing table entries. We propose a new routing paradigm that introduces a novel concept of neighbourhood, embodying path diversity. This framework summarises rather than decimates paths throughout the network, preserving and exploiting all of the network's potentially rich intrinsic path diversity. Central to our abstraction are two intimately connected and complementary path diversity units: simple cycles, and cycle adjacencies. A recursive network abstraction procedure is presented, together with an associated generic recursive routing protocol family that offers many desirable features. A simple instance of such a protocol is compared against existing wired and wireless routing protocols through simulations for a highlystressed network with unstable links, illustrating the potential advantages of the proposed approach.