Security in Wireless Mesh Neworks: Challenges and Solutions

Wireless mesh network is a new emerging field with its potential applications in extremely unpredictable and dynamic environments. However, it is particularly vulnerable due to its features of open medium, dynamic changing topology, cooperative routing algorithms. The article surveys the state of the art in security for wireless mesh networks. Firstly, we analyze various possible threats to security in wireless mesh networks. Secondly, we introduce some representative solutions to these threats, including solutions to the problems of key management, secure network routing, and intrusion detection, We also provide a comparison and discussion of their respective merits and drawbacks, and propose some improvements for these drawbacks. Finally, we also discuss the remaining challenges in the area.