Service discovery in mobile ad-hoc networks: better at the network layer?

Cross-layer design approaches in wireless networks propose strong interactions between layers in the protocol stack, in order to obtain important performance gains. Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) have special characteristics that make them suitable not only for cross-layer designs, but also for even tighter interactions of functions in different layers. With this in mind, we propose performing service discovery functions at the network layer, and not at the application layer, where they are traditionally found. We analyze the performance benefits that can be gained with this proposal, showing that services can be discovered faster and with less signaling traffic.