Identity crisis: on the problem of namespace design for ID-PKC and MANETs

In this paper we explore the “interface” between Identity-based Public Key Cryptography (ID-PKC) and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). In particular we examine the problem of naming and namespace design in an Identity-based Key Infrastructure (IKI). We examine the potential impact that different types of identifiers may have on the utility of ad hoc networks where an IKI provides the underlying key infrastructure. We also highlight problems inherent in extending namespaces to allow inter-operability amongst heterogeneous trust domains.