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JAIT 2025 Vol.16(3): 411-425
doi: 10.12720/jait.16.3.411-425

SDN-Driven Innovations in MANETs and IoT: A Path to Smarter Networks

Andrea Piroddi * and Riccardo Fonti
Department of Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
Email: andrea.piroddi@unibo.it (A.P.); riccardo.fonti@studio.unibo.it (R.F.)
*Corresponding author

Manuscript received December 11, 2024; revised January 2, 2025; accepted January 23; published March 20, 2025.

Abstract—Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) and Internet of Things (IoT) networks operate in decentralized and dynamic environments, making them ideal for scenarios lacking traditional infrastructure. However, these networks face challenges such as inefficient routing, limited scalability, and security vulnerabilities due to their decentralized nature and resource constraints. This paper explores the integration of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) as a unified solution that leverages its centralized control and network programmability to improve routing, resource management, and security. A mathematical model evaluates the impact of SDN integration on Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Operational Expenditure (OPEX), and performance metrics. Results demonstrate that SDN-enhanced MANETs and IoT networks offer superior scalability, reduced latency, increased throughput, and lower packet loss, especially in dynamic and large-scale environments. While SDN introduces computational overhead, it significantly enhances routing efficiency, resource optimization, and adaptability. The proposed framework provides a robust and scalable solution, enabling the development of network architectures that efficiently manage growing node densities, dynamic topologies, and high data traffic. This approach ensures resilience, making it well-suited to meet the performance and reliability demands of modern, large-scale applications.
 
Keywords—Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), Internet of Things (IoT) networks, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), scalability, network efficiency, cost optimization, resource management

Cite: Andrea Piroddi and Riccardo Fonti, "SDN-Driven Innovations in MANETs and IoT: A Path to Smarter Networks," Journal of Advances in Information Technology, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 411-425, 2025. doi: 10.12720/jait.16.3.411-425

Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).

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