In this paper, we describe and evaluate a secure data exchange protocol based on the Zigbee specification and built on top of 802.15.4 beacon enabled link layer. This protocol includes a key exchange mechanism and addition of Message Authenication Code to each packet. We have simulated key exchange protocol over physical and data link layers in IEEE 802.15.4 beacon enabled cluster. Since key distribution protocol requires downlink data transmissions which have complex implementation, its communication cost is high. Our results indicate that even for small cluster size, frequent key exchanges impose a serious performance burden on the data traffic. Therefore, the period for key exchanges (i.e. the degree of security protection) has to be traded for the cluster size and throughput. Keywords: security; Wireless Personal Area Networks; WPANs; sensor networks. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Mišić, J., Amini, F. and Khan, M. (2008) 'Performance implications of periodic key exchanges and packet integrity overhead in an 802.15.4 beacon enabled cluster', Int.
The effect of periodic key exchanges to the performance in an IEEE 802.15.4 network was discussed in REF .
Performance implications of periodic key exchanges and packet integrity overhead in an 802.15.4 beacon enabled cluster
IJSNet
IJSNet
Computer Science