This paper compares and analyzes the performance of the
four different ad hoc routing protocols in NS2. According to
the experiments we conducted, the result could be concluded
that the average throughputs of AODV and DSR are higher,
compared with OLSR and DSDV. On the other hand, the
average delay times of the table-driven protocols are lower and
the average jitters of DSDV and OLSR are smaller and more
stable. As the scale of the network grows, the number of
packets generated in the network becomes much greater for
OLSR and DSDV, which leads to a reduction of throughput
and stability. Taking into account of all the factors, we could
draw the conclusion that in the relatively small and stable
wireless network or in the situation where there are strict
requirements on the time, DSDV and OLSR are more
appropriate. On the contrary, in the network subjects to frequent changes or requires high throughput, AODV and DSR
turn out to be more efficient.