Density-based multipath secure communication over mobile ad hoc networks

ABSTRACT

Security is a critical issue in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), where mobile nodes communicate with each other over relatively unreliable wireless links with no fixed infrastructure. One example of this occurs on battle fields, where soldiers often wear cameras and wireless mobile devices to send or receive images/video of different angles or locations in order to obtain better observation of the area. Such an environment could be highly insecure since an enemy could place devices to eavesdrop on or compromise the soldier nodes. In this paper, we consider a case where time sensitive multimedia is sent using multiple paths which can make better use of load balancing strategies, increase bandwidth and save node energy. However, an enemy node could listen in on more than one path at the same time, allowing it to collect sufficient shares of an image or video frame to recover the image. Our proposed algorithm is based on a quantitative analysis of security to protect against such multi-path eavesdropping. We prove that our algorithm can achieve better level of security by detouring traffic via paths without or with less vulnerable areas at the same amount of redundancy. On the other hand, we also prove, using simulation results and mathematical derivation, our algorithm can provide much more redundancy for better multimedia quality purpose while at the same time guaranteeing the same level of security.

REFERENCES

• 1: John G. Apostolopoulos and Mitchell D. Trott, "Path Diversity for Enhanced Media Streaming", IEEE Communications Magazine, August 2004, pp. 80--87
• 2: Wenjing Lou, Wei Liu and Yuguang Fang, "SPREAD: Enhancing Data Confidentiality in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks", IEEE Infocom 2004
• 3: Yi J. Liang , Eckehard G. Steinbach , Bernd Girod, Real-time voice communication over the internet using packet path diversity, Proceedings of the ninth ACM international conference on Multimedia, September 30-October 05, 2001, Ottawa, Canada [doi>10.1145/500141.500205]
• 4: J. G. Apostolopoulos, "Reliable Video Communication over Lossy Packet Networks Using Multiple State Encoding and Path Diversity", VCIP, Jan. 2001, pp. 392--409
• 5: A. Tsirigos, Z. J. Haas, "Multipath Routing in the Presence of Frequent Topological Changes", IEEE Communication Magazine, Nov 2001
• 6: Marc R. Pearlman , Zygmunt J. Haas , Peter Sholander , Siamak S. Tabrizi, On the impact of alternate path routing for load balancing in mobile ad hoc networks, Proceedings of the 1st ACM international symposium on Mobile ad hoc networking & computing, November 20, 2000, Boston, Massachusetts
• 7: Lei Chen and Chung-wei Lee, "Neighbor Stability Routing in MANETs", IEEE Wireless Communications & Networking Conference (WCNC) 2005

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.2 Network Protocols
          Subjects: Routing protocols

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.0 General
          Subjects: Security and protection (e.g., firewalls)
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Wireless communication

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.5 Security and Protection (D.4.6, K.4.2)

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Management, Security

Keywords:
ad hoc networks, multipath routing, network security