One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates
loop-free ad-hoc routing in a wireless network. During operation, the
system advertises a local sequence number associated with a local node
for a destination node, and receives a first route request at the local
node, wherein the route request specifies a source node, the destination
node, and a first sequence number. The system further selectively
maintains a record, which indicates the source node, the destination
node, the first sequence number, and a node from which the route request
is received. The system also selectively forwards a second route request
based on the received route request, wherein the second route request
specifies the source node, the destination node, and a second sequence
number which is less than the first sequence number and less than or
equal to the advertised local sequence number.