The document compares the performance of three routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks - DSR, AODV, and DSDV - using the NS2 simulator. It finds that the two on-demand protocols, AODV and DSR, generally perform better than the proactive DSDV protocol in terms of higher packet delivery ratios and lower end-to-end delays. Between AODV and DSR, AODV performs better with higher node mobility and more traffic sources, while DSR has lower routing overhead in all scenarios. The performance differences are due to the reactive nature and route maintenance approaches of the three protocols.