Robust Authenticated Clustering Strategies for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs)

Mobile Ad-hoc Network is a wireless network with self-configuring nodes which forms a temporary network without any centralized administration such as servers and base stations. One of the most critical issues in these networks is the deployment of adaptive, extensible and flexible authentication and access control policies. Moreover, the lack of structured hierarchy in MANETs complicates the overall task of implementing these policies. The network performance might be improved if the network is clustered by grouping together nodes that are in close proximity. In the present paper our primary goal is to provide both an adaptive authentication system and a clustering scheme for MANET keeping the clustering latency, cost and performance in mind.