EPIC: Efficient path-independent capabilities in mobile ad hoc networks

In this paper, we investigate the issues that arise in the use of network capabilities to facilitate DoS prevention and mitigation in mobile ad hoc networks. Most proposals for capability-based protocols in wired networks depend upon routers on the path between the sender and receiver maintaining state that enables them to verify a capability. Frequent route changes make it necessary for any capability-based protocol for MANETs to re-establish this state as efficiently as possible. We propose EPIC, a method based on reverse-disclosure hash chains to support the establishment of path-independent capabilities and show how they can be efficiently maintained in a high mobility environment. Simulation results show that EPIC provides a 25.9% increase in performance and a 38.3% increase in efficiency over route-dependent capabilities.