Abstract:
Networks that support the ad hoc architecture are typically called wireless ad hoc networks or mobile ad hoc networks. Such networks are typically assumed to be self forming and self healing. This is because the typical applications of such networks require nodes to form networks quickly without any human intervention. Security attacks on ad hoc network routing protocols disrupt network performance and reliability. The security of this infrastructure has been called into question. In particular, the protocols directing traffic through the network have been found to be vulnerable. Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol is the one of such protocol. This paper proposes a security extension to OSPF containing a decentralized certificate authentication scheme that eliminates the single point of failure/attack present in current OSPF security extensions. An analysis of the security of Decentralized certificate authentication scheme is performed efficiently.

Keywords: Network Security, Secure Routing, OSPF, Key Management System