Location based analysis of AODV performance in the presence of black hole nodes

Abstract

Mobility and portability of wireless communication devices in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks have introduced data security threats. This is due to the utilization of multiple hops as a result of limited transmission ranges between source and destination nodes. The performance of MANETs under Black Hole attacks can be improved by accurately detecting and eliminating black hole nodes. That is, there are indications to suggest that inaccu-rate Black Hole attack detection and elimination in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks have led to a low network performance. This paper aims to prove the impact Black Hole attacks can have on Mobile Ad Hoc Networks implementing AODV as a routing protocol via simulation. The simulation is conducted using NS3 and NetAnim. This involves the use of a base implementation of AODV as a benchmark for the effects that black hole nodes introduce into a network. Similarly, the AODV implementation that has black Hole nodes present in the network is also performed, to measure the effects black hole nodes introduce. Results indicate that the encounter of a black hole node during transmissions has a devastating effect on the network functionality. The closer the black hole node is to the source node requesting the transmission, the worse the impact. Fortunately, there are few scenarios where the black hole nodes are in the network, but the routing protocol chooses a path that does not include the malicious node. The paper concludes that, even with the introduction of relatively few black hole nodes to the network, there still exist a potential to bring significant disruptions to communication.