Average number of hops in a network

atticus87 · 10-30-2009, 07:09 PM

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I've seen you guys are familiar with networking. I have a question regarding a networking problem. It is a theoretical problem. In fact I admit it is a homework I have to do. Hence I do not ask anybody to solve my problem I am just looking for clues on how to solve it since I have not found the information to do it.
I have tried to look for a solution but I could not find in. (neither in the university library nor on the internet)

Basically I have to calculate the average number of hops in a network from one node to any node. I think the network is an ad-hoc networks (since the text of the problem specifies that nodes can be en-nodes ( that can either forward or send data ) or nodes that only forward data (the don't send it - I mean don't generate it) ). I have three different cases. A ring, start and fully meshed topology.
My concern is that I have not found a method to calculate the average hops in a network. I a sure it depends on the network characteristics, therefore I have also given the three topologies.
Could you please tell me the method, or formula, or just a book name that can give me further insights.

Thank you,
atticus

If this is not the right place to post this question, could you please tell me another forum where I can ask it ?

**johnwill** · 10-31-2009, 09:22 AM

Well, I can't imagine a "correct" answer to this question. Clearly, it totally depends on the exact network topology, since the hops are determined by the number of routers and gateways between the two locations.

10-30-2009, 07:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
atticus87 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8 OS: Linux	Average number of hops in a network Hi all, I am new to this forum. I've seen you guys are familiar with networking. I have a question regarding a networking problem. It is a theoretical problem. In fact I admit it is a homework I have to do. Hence I do not ask anybody to solve my problem I am just looking for clues on how to solve it since I have not found the information to do it. I have tried to look for a solution but I could not find in. (neither in the university library nor on the internet) Basically I have to calculate the average number of hops in a network from one node to any node. I think the network is an ad-hoc networks (since the text of the problem specifies that nodes can be en-nodes ( that can either forward or send data ) or nodes that only forward data (the don't send it - I mean don't generate it) ). I have three different cases. A ring, start and fully meshed topology. My concern is that I have not found a method to calculate the average hops in a network. I a sure it depends on the network characteristics, therefore I have also given the three topologies. Could you please tell me the method, or formula, or just a book name that can give me further insights. Thank you, atticus If this is not the right place to post this question, could you please tell me another forum where I can ask it ?

10-31-2009, 09:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Average number of hops in a network Well, I can't imagine a "correct" answer to this question. Clearly, it totally depends on the exact network topology, since the hops are determined by the number of routers and gateways between the two locations. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience