Security Enhancement Using Cache Based Reauthentication in WiMAX Based E-Learning System.

Chithra Rajagopal,Kalaavathi Bhuvaneshwaran

doi:10.1155/2015/878327

Abstract

WiMAX networks are the most suitable for E-Learning through their Broadcast and Multicast Services at rural areas. Authentication of users is carried out by AAA server in WiMAX. In E-Learning systems the users must be forced to perform reauthentication to overcome the session hijacking problem. The reauthentication of users introduces frequent delay in the data access which is crucial in delaying sensitive applications such as E-Learning. In order to perform fast reauthentication caching mechanism known as Key Caching Based Authentication scheme is introduced in this paper. Even though the cache mechanism requires extra storage to keep the user credentials, this type of mechanism reduces the 50% of the delay occurring during reauthentication.

Highlights

WiMAX networks provide broadband wireless access over a distance of 50 KM with fixed subscriber station and over a radius of 5 KM to 15 KM with mobile station [1, 2]
The Access Service Network which comprises a group of base stations is interconnected and controlled by Access Service Network Gateway
The functions of the Access Service Network (ASN) Gateway include caching of E-Learning user profiles [2] and routing of data to the selected Connectivity Service Network (CSN)

Summary

Introduction

WiMAX networks provide broadband wireless access over a distance of 50 KM with fixed subscriber station and over a radius of 5 KM to 15 KM with mobile station [1, 2]. The Connectivity Service Network provides Internet connectivity to manage the sessions of E-Learning users through multicast group management functionality. Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting Server in Connectivity Service Network of WiMAX is responsible for authenticating the E-Learning users. ELearning service using multiple biometric mechanisms [5, 6] addresses the initial authentication of users and does not focus on the security issues during the session management. The authentication protocol for E-Learning in [9] forces the user to perform full authentication process at every time of reauthentication. An authentication protocol which performs reauthentication process with minimum delay is needed. Cache based authentication protocol is proposed to support the authentication process with reduced delay. The user credentials during the initial authentication are cached at the Access Service Network Gateway to support faster reauthentication.

Proposed System Architecture

Performance Evaluation

Findings

Conclusion