While data transmission is going on, it is also required to maintain paths during route maintenance phase which is desirable and required in mobile ad hoc networks.
This protocol consists of two functions namely, path discovery and path maintenance.
The disconnected links cannot be fixed by the local path maintenance scheme.
Owing to multiple path maintenance, AMQR and AntHocNet can achieve good packet delivery ratio at shorter pause time.
It combines the reactive path setup phase with the proactive path maintenance, and also makes use of a local repair mechanism.
There is no need of path maintenance [4, 8, 11, 22] as each node has to memorize its one-hop neighbors through beaconing.
The multiple routes are estimated using the ant colony optimization algorithm and the link failures are managed using the path maintenance scheme.
The following are the disadvantages of using the DSR protocol: The disconnected links cannot be fixed by the local path maintenance scheme.
"In addition, it means that the rangers have to spend their time clearing up this filth and rubbish when they have a full works programme of habitat improvements, path maintenance, etc., to carry out around the area".
The process of maintenance of the paths is called route maintenance and starts whenever a node i detects a link failure.
