Welcome
Seven years ago, we were solicited to propose a proactive routing protocol in the newly created MANET working group of the IETF.
Squeezing a link-state protocol in order to support fast mobility and rapid topology changes over a generally poor radio medium was a challenge, and getting the protocol to where it is today has been a real adventure. Our approach was to start with a routing solution, developed for the link layer of the late European standard HIPERLAN, and then built OLSR as a dedicated internet ad-hoc routing platform.
Getting the idea of multipoint relays and symmetric hellos explained, tested and eventually accepted was possible only through help and support -- from the IETF MANET community, and from researchers, implementers etc. In fact we have been very surprised by the very good reception of the algorithm in the community.
OLSR has become the living protocol it is thanks to all of you. As a matter of fact, OLSR would not have been possible without the strong support from the MANET community and the editors of the final protocol specification are very grateful to you.
The objective was to develop a protocol which was easy to implement, install, deploy and conduct experiments with using real radios -- and which conformed to the IETF legacy. If we have achieved that goal, it is only thanks to the many suggestions, comments and improvements, which we have received over the years from you, and which have helped shape the specification -- now RFC3626.
Now is the time to both make status and look forward. This OLSR Interop and Workshop, which we're able to organize thanks to our generous sponsors, aims at doing exactly that. During the interop, we'll test the many different implementations of OLSR for interoperability, as well as test the performance of OLSR in (we hope) a large network. During the workshop, we will be discussing experiences with OLSR, as well as future directions for the protocol development.
So it's time for all of us to play with codes, communicate, and, hopefully interoperate. Sure the radio will be bad, the coffee not strong enough and your peer antennas may be badly oriented -- but for the insatiable hacker, don't forget to participate to the little contest where size will matter. After this, you will deserve the title of "OLSR interop survivor".Have fun -- and see you in San Diego!