# NeighbourManager-Networking This Python script, a 3rd-year college project, implements a NeighbourManager to manage neighbors and calculate ETX (Expected Transmission Count) metrics in a simulated network. Using multithreading, locks, and timers, it dynamically manages neighbors, probes for updates, selects optimal parents, and logs results. Ideal for IoT and mesh networks.

................. Long Description: ................. This Python script implements a NeighbourManager class for managing neighbors and calculating ETX (Expected Transmission Count) metrics in a simulated network. The code uses multithreading, locks, and timers to maintain thread-safe operations and periodic tasks.

Key Techniques and Features:

........................... Neighbour Table Management: ........................... Adds, updates, and removes neighbors dynamically. Tracks metrics like distance, rank, and TX cost for each neighbor. Automatically removes inactive neighbors after a 15-second timeout.

........................... Probing and Acknowledgment: ........................... Periodically sends PROBE messages to neighbors in a round-robin manner. Handles PROBE_ACK responses to update link metrics.

................ ETX Calculation: ................ Calculates and updates ETX distance using a weighted average formula based on successful probes.

............................. Parent Selection and Ranking: ............................. Identifies the best parent based on the lowest ETX and updates the node's rank accordingly.

.............. Thread Safety: .............. Uses a lock to ensure safe concurrent access to shared data structures. Implements timers for periodic probing and retry mechanisms.

...................... Logging and Debugging: ...................... Provides timestamped logs for operations. Prints the neighbor table periodically for monitoring. This system is useful for simulating wireless networks, IoT mesh networks, or ad-hoc routing protocols that rely on link quality for efficient communication