Secure Hierarchical Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks: a Comparative Analysis

Abstract

In recent years, the security in Wireless sensor networks becomes a good topic for researchers; it is a challenge task due to inheritance limitations of sensors. Besides, security becomes extremely crucial factor when sensor networks are randomly deployed in a hostile environment. Routing in WSNs is the vital functionality that allows the flow of information generated by sensor nodes to the base station, while considering the severe energy constraint and the limitations of computational and storage resources. However, security of these routing protocols has fallen beyond the scope so far. As sensor nodes may be easily captured and compromised, the classical cryptographic solutions become insufficient to provide optimal routing security, especially, for hierarchical WSNs, where cluster heads can be still among the compromised nodes. In this work, we focus at secure hierarchical routing protocols in wireless sensor networks and represent selected approaches which focusing at this matter. The purpose of this paper is to create a simulation of these protocols using NS2. Then, we analyze to what extend they have been applied to the clustering structure and compare them in terms of security, security issues for WSNs and their solutions are also discussed.

Performance of Strategies for HierarchicalClustering Routing in WirelessSensor Networks

“…The methods to increase the energy efficiency classified into three categories depending on geographical area, which called coverage method [13], Green method, concerned with preserving the environment and exploiting natural resources [14,15] and the largest group is clustering method [16] which included the data Centric [17], hierarchical [18], and balancing [19]. We will talk in details about these classifications in section four.…”

“…The researchers classified the clustering methods into two main categories: Data Centric [17], and Hierarchical [18] as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…The gateway determine the routing depends on the following criteria: Sensor reorganization, Node's battery energy level, and energy model adjustment. The demerit for this protocol, low performance under heavy load conditions [18]. TEEN: is based on the network mode of functioning, as proactive and reactive networks.…”

“…On the other hand, the demerits for this protocol are: this protocol is not well suited for applications where the user needs to get data on a regular basis, because if the thresholds are not reached, the nodes will never communicate, the user will not get any data from the network at all and will not come to know even if all the nodes die or still work.Another dilemma with this protocol is that a practical implementation would have to ensure that there are no collisions in the cluster [18]. To avoid this problem, they used the TDMA scheduling of the nodes, but this solution will increase the delay in the reporting of the time-critical data.…”

“…In CCS, the network is divided into levels of concentric circular tracks. The nearest track to the BS is called level-1, second one level-2, and so on [18]. One node in each track selected as a head node.…”