Enhancing Security of Wireless Ad-hoc networks Using Internet Protocol Security

Abstract

WLAN has two operating modes; the Ad-Hoc mode or Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) and the infrastructure (cellular) mode or Basic Service Set (BSS). In Ad-Hoc mode all traffic travels peer to peer, while in infrastructure mode all traffic travels through central access point (AP). Since it is inception Ad-Hoc network proof to be highly significance in various sensitive and emergency operations, however it is security has a long standing research problem. Security in ad-hoc network requires both routing security and data communication security. This thesis proposes the use of Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) for enhancing security in Ad-Hoc wireless networks. The implementation of IPsec which consists of the Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) and the Authentication Header (AH) is simulated using the NS-2 simulator. In this setting Ad-Hoc On Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol is used. The thesis also tackle one of the import problem in Ad-Hoc network; the privacy of the legitimate users. Results from the NS-2 simulated environment are compared against different protocols e.g., TCP/IP stack and UDP stack with different factors e.g., throughput, jitter, and delay. Results show that security vulnerability of Ad-Hoc network is relatively enhanced via using IPsec, and implementation of ESP and AH of IPsec proof to ensure confidentiality and authenticity of data.