Förster, AnnaAnnaFörsterManzoni, PietroPietroManzoniHernández-Orallo, EnriqueEnriqueHernández-OralloKuladinithi, KoojanaKoojanaKuladinithiUdugama, AsangaAsangaUdugama2025-08-212025-08-212012-02-24Springer Nature Switzerland 978-3-031-47866-6: 61-79 (2024)978-3-031-47866-6978-3-031-47865-9978-3-031-47867-3978-3-031-47868-0https://hdl.handle.net/11420/57105In this chapter, we detail how to use theoretical modeling in opportunistic networks (OppNets) using mathematical and computational methods to analyze their behavior. The models, though simplified representations of reality, help researchers predict network performance under different conditions and gain insights into network behavior. Particularly, we introduce Markov Chain Models and Compartmental Models, which have been extensively used to evaluate message diffusion in OppNets.enAnalytical modelsCompartmental modelsEpidemic modelMarkov chainsOpportunistic networksPerformance evaluationPopulation processesTechnology::600: TechnologyBook Part10.1007/978-3-031-47866-6_5Book Chapter