Simulation of IPSec Protocol in Ad-Hoc Networks

This paper focuses on securing communication between nodes of ad-hoc networks by applying IPSec. Ad-hoc network is a collection of mobile nodes that are dynamically and arbitrarily located in such a manner that the interconnections between nodes are capable of changing on a continual basis. The security factor is one of the main issues as no infrastructure-based solutions are applicable in this area. Like in all other networks, the routing is one of the most important parts in this network. Ad-Hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol is the most popular routing protocol in adhoc networks and it is employed in the simulation model. Security in ad-hoc network requires both routing security and data communication security. The proposed IPSec implementation model for both authentication header (AH) and encapsulation security payload (ESP) is simulated using the NS-2 simulator and results from the NS-2 simulated environment are compared for both authentication header and encapsulating security payload for secure data communication in ad-hoc networks. The main contribution of this paper is to present IPSec as a good solution for Ad-hoc network security problems.