Cloned Access Point Detection and Point Detection and Prevention Mechanism in IEEE 802.11 Wireless Mesh Networks

IEEE 802.11 Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is an emerging low cost, decentralized community-based broadband technology, which is based on self-healing and multi-hop deployment of Access Points (APs), so that to increase the coverage area with maximum freedom to end-users to join or leave the network from anywhere anytime having low deployment and maintenance cost. Such kind of decentralized structure and multihop architecture increases its security vulnerabilities especially against the APs. One of such possible security attack is the placement of cloned AP to create serious performance degradation in IEEE 802.11 WMN. In this paper, we discuss the different security vulnerabilities of AP in IEEE 802.11 WMN along with possible research directions. We also propose a mutual cooperation mechanism between the multi-hop APs and serving gateway so that to detect and prevent the possibility of cloned AP. In this way the large scale exploitation of IEEE 802.11 WMN can be eliminated

Common security issues and challenges in wireless sensor networks and IEEE 802.11 wireless mesh networks

Both Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) and Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) are multi-hop wireless networks. WMN is an emerging community based integrated broadband wireless network which ensures high bandwidth ubiquitous internet provision to users, while, WSN is application specific and ensures large scale real-time data processing in complex environment. Both these wireless networks have some common vulnerable features which may increase the chances of different sorts of security attacks. Wireless sensor nodes have computation, memory and power limitations, which do not allow for implementation of complex security mechanism. In this paper, we discuss the common limitations and vulnerable features of WMN and WSN, along with the associated security threats and possible countermeasures. We also propose security mechanisms keeping in view the architecture and limitations of both. This article will serve as a baseline guide for the new researchers who are concern with the security aspects of WMN and WSN

Denial of service attacks and challenges in broadband wireless networks

Broadband wireless networks are providing internet and related services to end users. The three most important broadband wireless technologies are IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, and Wireless Mesh Network (WMN). Security attacks and vulnerabilities vary amongst these broadband wireless networks because of differences in topologies, network operations and physical setups. Amongst the various security risks, Denial of Service (DoS) attack is the most severe security threat, as DoS can compromise the availability and integrity of broadband wireless network. In this paper, we present DoS attack issues in broadband wireless networks, along with possible defenses and future directions

Passive security threats and consequences in IEEE 802.11 wireless mesh networks

The Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is ubiquitous emerging broadband wireless network. However, the open wireless medium, multi-hop multi-radio architecture and ad-hoc connectivity amongst end-users are such characteristics which increases the vulnerabilities of WMN towards many passive and active attacks. A secure network ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of wireless network. Integrity and availability is compromised by active attacks, while the confidentiality of end-users traffic is compromised by passive attacks. Passive attacks are silent in nature and do not harm the network traffic or normal network operations, therefore very difficult to detect. However, passive attacks lay down a foundation for later launching an active attack. In this article, we discuss the vulnerable features and possible passive threats in WMN along with current security mechanisms as well as future research directions. This article will serve as a baseline guide for the passive security threats and related issues in WMNs

A Simple Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Sensor Network Architecture with Self-Protecting and Monitoring Functions

A novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based passive sensor architecture, which can be used to protect the fiber cut and monitor the multiple sensors simultaneously, is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Here, we employ a wavelength-tunable erbium-doped fiber (EDF) laser scheme with 25 km cavity length acting as the detecting light source in central office (CO). Each FBG sensor, serving as a feedback element, is used in proposed sensor architecture. By tuning the tunable bandpass filter (TBF) placing inside cavity to match the corresponding Bragg wavelength of FBG over the amplification bandwidth, we can retrieve the related wavelength lasing for the FBG sensing and monitoring simultaneously. Moreover, the survivability and capacity of the passive FBG sensor architecture can be also enhanced

Robust fiber-optic sensor networks

The ability to operate despite failure will become increasingly important as the use of optical sensor networks grows, and the amount of sensing information to be handled by a sensor network is increasing, especially for safety and security applications. In this review, the four categories of protection to allow service to be reestablished after a failure (dedicated/shared and line/path) are thoroughly discussed. This paper also presents an overview of the most representative robust fiber-optic sensor systems, discussing their schemes, pros and cons.The authors are grateful to the Spanish Government project TEC2010-20224-C02-01

Internet of Things-aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Traditional power grids are being transformed into Smart Grids (SGs) to address the issues in existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of Internet of Things (IoT). IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy by incorporating IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications and prototypes of IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges and future research directions for IoT-aided SG systems

Self-healing network architectures for multiwavelength optical metro/access networks.

Sun Xiaofeng.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-64).Abstracts in English and Chinese.Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1Chapter 1.1 --- Optical network evolution --- p.2Chapter 1.1.1 --- Submarine and terrestrial long-haul fibre systems --- p.2Chapter 1.1.2 --- Metropolitan networks --- p.3Chapter 1.1.3 --- Access networks --- p.4Chapter 1.2 --- Motivation of this thesis --- p.6Chapter 1.3 --- Outline of this thesis --- p.7Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- PREVIOUS SELF-HEALING NETWORK ARCHITECTURES --- p.9Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.10Chapter 2.1.1 --- Previous protection architectures for access networks --- p.10Chapter 2.1.2 --- Previous protection architectures for metro access networks --- p.13Chapter 2.3 --- Previous protection architectures for metro backbone networks --- p.15Chapter 2.3.1 --- Unidirectional path-switched rings (UPSR) --- p.15Chapter 2.3.2 --- Bidirectional line-switched rings (BLSR) --- p.16Chapter 2.3.3 --- Ring interconnection and dual homing --- p.17Chapter 2.4 --- Summary --- p.19Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- SELF-HEALING NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR WDM OPTICAL ACCESS NETWORKS --- p.20Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.21Chapter 3.2 --- Star-Ring Protection Architecture (SRPA) --- p.21Chapter 3.2.1 --- Motivation --- p.21Chapter 3.2.2 --- Network topology of SRPA --- p.22Chapter 3.2.3 --- Wavelength assignment of SRPA --- p.22Chapter 3.2.4 --- Structure of ONU --- p.23Chapter 3.2.5 --- Protection mechanism --- p.25Chapter 3.2.6 --- Experimental demonstration --- p.26Chapter 3.2.7 --- Power budget --- p.28Chapter 3.2.8 --- Summary --- p.28Chapter 3.3 --- Duplicated-Tree Protection Architecture (DTPA) --- p.28Chapter 3.3.1 --- Motivation --- p.28Chapter 3.3.2 --- Network topology and wavelength assignment --- p.29Chapter 3.3.3 --- Structure of OLT --- p.30Chapter 3.3.4 --- Protection mechanism --- p.31Chapter 3.3.5 --- Experimental demonstration --- p.33Chapter 1.1.1 --- Summary --- p.34Chapter 1.4 --- Summary --- p.35Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- SINGLE-FIBER SELF-HEALING WDM RING NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR METRO ACCESS NETWORKS --- p.36Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.37Chapter 4.2 --- Network architecture and wavelength assignment --- p.37Chapter 4.3 --- Structure of access node --- p.39Chapter 4.4 --- Structure of hub node --- p.40Chapter 4.5 --- Protection mechanism --- p.42Chapter 4.6 --- Experimental demonstration --- p.43Chapter 4.7 --- Optimization of access node --- p.47Chapter 4.8 --- Scalability --- p.48Chapter 4.9 --- Summary --- p.49Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- SELF-HEALING WDM MESH NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR METRO BACKBONE NETWORKS… --- p.50Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.51Chapter 5.2 --- Network architecture and node structure --- p.51Chapter 5.3 --- Protection mechanism --- p.53Chapter 5.4 --- Experimental demonstration --- p.55Chapter 5.5 --- Summary --- p.57Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- SUMMARYAND FUTURE WORKS --- p.58Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of the Thesis --- p.59Chapter 6.2 --- Future Works --- p.59LIST OF PUBLICATIONS --- p.61REFERENCES --- p.6

Major requirements for building Smart Homes in Smart Cities based on Internet of Things technologies

The recent boom in the Internet of Things (IoT) will turn Smart Cities and Smart Homes (SH) from hype to reality. SH is the major building block for Smart Cities and have long been a dream for decades, hobbyists in the late 1970s made Home Automation (HA) possible when personal computers started invading home spaces. While SH can share most of the IoT technologies, there are unique characteristics that make SH special. From the result of a recent research survey on SH and IoT technologies, this paper defines the major requirements for building SH. Seven unique requirement recommendations are defined and classified according to the specific quality of the SH building blocks