Available and reliable communication in mobile ad hoc networks

Reliable and available communication is based on the security and the robustness of the underlying network protocols and mechanisms. The focus of reliable end-to-end communication in MANETs is different from classical networks since there is no separation between network hosts and network infrastructure. Every MANET node acts as a router and therefore provides some part of the communication infrastructure that is used by the other nodes. Attacks and failures can not be completely avoided in MANETs due to their inherent vulnerabilities that derive from the very fact that based on radio communication. Therefore detection of attacks or malfunctioning nodes and suitable response mechanisms to these incidences are needed in MANETs to ensure reliable and available end-to-end communication. Since all nodes act as routers in MANETs the security and the reliability of network layer protocols are of even higher importance in MANETs compared to classical networks. Therefore the focus of this document is on the detection of attacks on MANETs, especially attack on routing protocols, and on different measures and mechanisms to reduce the effects of detected attacks.