Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are wireless networks that grow spontanously. They use each computer as a possible router to get messages to and from one remote point to another.

This networks differs from the 802.11 networks (because 802.11 require direct one-to-one wireless link), but can be built on top of them.

At 2003-2004 the optimal way of constructing MANETs is an active field of research.

MANETs will raise down many cost in networks infraestructure and are the key point to have real wireless networks deployements.