Secure Routing in Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have emerged as a promising concept to meet the challenges in next-generation networks such as providing flexible, adaptive, and reconfigurable architecture while offering cost-effective solutions to the service providers. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi networks, with each access point (AP) connected to the wired network, in WMNs only a subset of the APs are required to be connected to the wired network. The APs that are connected to the wired network are called the Internet gateways (IGWs), while the APs that do not have wired connections are called the mesh routers (MRs). The MRs are connected to the IGWs using multi-hop communication. The IGWs provide access to conventional clients and interconnect ad hoc, sensor, cellular, and other networks to the Internet. However, most of the existing routing protocols for WMNs are extensions of protocols originally designed for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and thus they perform sub-optimally. Moreover, most routing protocols for WMNs are designed without security issues in mind, where the nodes are all assumed to be honest. In practical deployment scenarios, this assumption does not hold. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of security issues in WMNs and then particularly focuses on secure routing in these networks. First, it identifies security vulnerabilities in the medium access control (MAC) and the network layers. Various possibilities of compromising data confidentiality, data integrity, replay attacks and offline cryptanalysis are also discussed. Then various types of attacks in the MAC and the network layers are discussed. After enumerating the various types of attacks on the MAC and the network layer, the chapter briefly discusses on some of the preventive mechanisms for these attacks.Comment: 44 pages, 17 figures, 5 table

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Being infrastructure-less and without central administration control, wireless ad-hoc networking is playing a more and more important role in extending the coverage of traditional wireless infrastructure (cellular networks, wireless LAN, etc). This book includes state-of-the-art techniques and solutions for wireless ad-hoc networks. It focuses on the following topics in ad-hoc networks: quality-of-service and video communication, routing protocol and cross-layer design. A few interesting problems about security and delay-tolerant networks are also discussed. This book is targeted to provide network engineers and researchers with design guidelines for large scale wireless ad hoc networks

Mecanismos de facturação segura em redes auto-organizadas

Mestrado em Engenharia Electrónica e TelecomunicaçõesAs redes ad-hoc e as redes auto-organizadas constituem uma área de investigação com grande interesse. Estas redes são uteis em cenários onde seja necessária uma rede de baixo custo, elevada adaptabilidade e reduzido tempo de criação. As redes infra-estruturadas, tendo uma gestão centralizada, estão agora a começar a adoptar os conceitos de redes autoorganizadas nas suas arquitecturas. Ao contrário dos sistemas centralizados, redes auto-organizadas requerem que todos os terminais participantes operem de acordo com o melhor interesse da rede. O facto de, em redes ad-hoc, os equipamentos possuírem recursos limitados, pôe em causa este requisito levando a comportamentos egoístas. Este comportamento é espectavel criando problemas nas redes auto-organizativas, ameaçando o funcionamento de uma rede inteira. Algumas propostas foram ja criadas de modo a motivar a sua utilização correcta. Destas, algumas são baseadas em trocas de credito entre utilizadores, outras preveêm a existência de entidades gestoras de creditos. Estas ultimas propostas, que irão ser o foco desta dissertação, permitem a facil integração de redes ad-hoc com redes infra-estruturadas e geridas por um operador. Este trabalho descreve o estado da arte actual e, com algum detalhe, os métodos utilizados e as solucões relevantes para esta area. São propostas duas novas soluções de taxação para estas redes. Ambas as soluções possibilitam a integração das redes com metodos de taxação habituais em redes geridas por operadores. Para além disto, a motivação à participaçãao é aumentada através de incentivos ao encaminhamento de pacotes. Todos os processos são criptograficamente seguros através da utilização de métodos standard como DSA sobre Curvas Elípticas e funções de síntese robustas. As soluções propostas são descritas analiticamente e analisadas, sendo os os resultados obtidos comparados com outra proposta do estado da arte. Um exaustivo trabalho de simulação é igualmente descrito de forma a avaliar as soluções em cenários mais complexos. Os resultados obtidos em simulação são avaliados tendo em conta a variação de várias métricas como mobilidade, carga na rede, protocolo de encaminhamento e protocolo de transporte. No final, a arquitectura, implementação e resultados obtidos com uma implementação real de uma das propostas e os seus resultados analisados.Self-organised and ad-hoc networks are an area with an existing large research community. These networks are much useful in scenarios requiring a rapidly deployed, low cost and highly adaptable network. Recently, infrastructure networks, which are managed in a much centralised form, are starting to introduce concepts of self-organised networks in its architecture. In opposition to centralised systems, self-organisation creates the necessity for all nodes to behave according to the best interest of the network. The fact that in many ad-hoc networks nodes have scarce resources poses some threats to this requirement. As resources decreases, such as battery or wireless bandwidth, nodes can start acting selfishly. This behaviour is known to bring damage to self-organised networks and threatens the entire network. Several proposals were made in order to promote the correct usage of the network. Some proposals are based on local information and direct credit exchange while others envision the existence of a central bank. The later solutions are further elaborated in this thesis, as they make possible integration of ad-hoc network with operator driven infrastructures. This work presents the current state-of-the-art on the area providing a detailed insight on the methods adopted by each solution presented. Two novel solutions are proposed providing charging support for integrated ad-hoc networks. Both solutions provide means of integration with standard management methods found in operator networks. Also, node´s motivation is increased through the reward of nodes forwarding data packets. The entire process is cryptographically secure, making use of standard methods such as Elliptic Curve DSA and strong digest functions. The solutions proposed are described and analysed analytically, comparing the results with other state-of-the-art proposals. Extensive simulation work is also presented which furthers evaluates the solutions in complex scenarios. Results are obtained from these scenarios and several metrics are evaluated taking in consideration mobility, network load, routing protocol and transport protocol. The architecture and results obtained with a real implementation are finally presented and analysed

A survey on wireless ad hoc networks

A wireless ad hoc network is a collection of wireless nodes that can dynamically self-organize into an arbitrary and temporary topology to form a network without necessarily using any pre-existing infrastructure. These characteristics make ad hoc networks well suited for military activities, emergency operations, and disaster recoveries. Nevertheless, as electronic devices are getting smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, the mobile market is rapidly growing and, as a consequence, the need of seamlessly internetworking people and devices becomes mandatory. New wireless technologies enable easy deployment of commercial applications for ad hoc networks. The design of an ad hoc network has to take into account several interesting and difficult problems due to noisy, limited-range, and insecure wireless transmissions added to mobility and energy constraints. This paper presents an overview of issues related to medium access control (MAC), routing, and transport in wireless ad hoc networks and techniques proposed to improve the performance of protocols. Research activities and problems requiring further work are also presented. Finally, the paper presents a project concerning an ad hoc network to easily deploy Internet services on low-income habitations fostering digital inclusion8th IFIP/IEEE International conference on Mobile and Wireless CommunicationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Mobile Ad hoc Networking: Imperatives and Challenges

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) represent complex distributed systems that comprise wireless mobile nodes that can freely and dynamically self-organize into arbitrary and temporary, "ad-hoc" network topologies, allowing people and devices to seamlessly internetwork in areas with no pre-existing communication infrastructure, e.g., disaster recovery environments. Ad hoc networking concept is not a new one, having been around in various forms for over 20 years. Traditionally, tactical networks have been the only communication networking application that followed the ad hoc paradigm. Recently, the introduction of new technologies such as the Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 and Hyperlan are helping enable eventual commercial MANET deployments outside the military domain. These recent evolutions have been generating a renewed and growing interest in the research and development of MANET. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of this dynamic field. It first explains the important role that mobile ad hoc networks play in the evolution of future wireless technologies. Then, it reviews the latest research activities in these areas, including a summary of MANET\u27s characteristics, capabilities, applications, and design constraints. The paper concludes by presenting a set of challenges and problems requiring further research in the future

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Being infrastructure-less and without central administration control, wireless ad-hoc networking is playing a more and more important role in extending the coverage of traditional wireless infrastructure (cellular networks, wireless LAN, etc). This book includes state-of the-art techniques and solutions for wireless ad-hoc networks. It focuses on the following topics in ad-hoc networks: vehicular ad-hoc networks, security and caching, TCP in ad-hoc networks and emerging applications. It is targeted to provide network engineers and researchers with design guidelines for large scale wireless ad hoc networks

Stability of secure routing protocol in ad hoc wireless network.

The contributions of this research are threefold. First, it offers a new routing approach to ad hoc wireless network protocols: the Enhanced Heading-direction Angle Routing Protocol (EHARP), which is an enhancement of HARP based on an on-demand routing scheme. We have added important features to overcome its disadvantages and improve its performance, providing the stability and availability required to guarantee the selection of the best path. Each node in the network is able to classify its neighbouring nodes according to their heading directions into four different zone-direction group. The second contribution is to present a new Secure Enhanced Heading-direction Angle Routing Protocol (SEHARP) for ad hoc networks based on the integration of security mechanisms that could be applied to the EHARP routing protocol. Thirdly, we present a new approach to security of access in hostile environments based on the history and relationships among the nodes and on digital operation certificates. We also propose an access activity diagram which explains the steps taken by a node. Security depends on access to the history of each unit, which is used to calculate the cooperative values of each node in the environment

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Guiding readers through the basics of these rapidly emerging networks to more advanced concepts and future expectations, Mobile Ad hoc Networks: Current Status and Future Trends identifies and examines the most pressing research issues in Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). Containing the contributions of leading researchers, industry professionals, and academics, this forward-looking reference provides an authoritative perspective of the state of the art in MANETs. The book includes surveys of recent publications that investigate key areas of interest such as limited resources and the mobility of mobile nodes. It considers routing, multicast, energy, security, channel assignment, and ensuring quality of service. Also suitable as a text for graduate students, the book is organized into three sections: Fundamentals of MANET Modeling and Simulation—Describes how MANETs operate and perform through simulations and models Communication Protocols of MANETs—Presents cutting-edge research on key issues, including MAC layer issues and routing in high mobility Future Networks Inspired By MANETs—Tackles open research issues and emerging trends Illustrating the role MANETs are likely to play in future networks, this book supplies the foundation and insight you will need to make your own contributions to the field. It includes coverage of routing protocols, modeling and simulations tools, intelligent optimization techniques to multicriteria routing, security issues in FHAMIPv6, connecting moving smart objects to the Internet, underwater sensor networks, wireless mesh network architecture and protocols, adaptive routing provision using Bayesian inference, and adaptive flow control in transport layer using genetic algorithms