Authentication and Security in IP based Multi–Hop Networks

Network security and authentication are very important for all kinds of communication networks to assure network stability and to avoid subscription fraud. In the last years – even for wireless local area networks – mechanisms have been found to support both in a cellular network. In multi–hop networks based on IEEE802.11, security and authentication are still open issues. Mainly the low price of the network infrastructure makes this kind of networks vulnerable. Within the scope of this paper we describe the application of IEEE802.1x in combination with UMTS Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) to enable authentication and security in multi–hop networks. keywords: IP security, 802.1x, multi–hop, ad hoc, TLS, WEP, EAP, PEAP, EAPoL, UMTS AKA