Security for Multihop Wireless Networks

Authentication in Wireless Mesh Networks  ◾  429

IEEE802.1X standard to wireless environments. IEEE802.11i standard introduces

the concept of Robust Security Network Association (RSNA). e RSNA is an

association either between an STA and an AP or between two STAs. is associa-

tion serves to ensure data confidentiality, integrity and authentication. e RSNA

association relies on the use of encryption keys.

In IEEE802.11 networks, the keys are classified into three different categories.

e pairwise key secures the unicast traffic between an AP and an STA. e group

key secures the multicast or broadcast traffic between an AP and a group of STAs

and the STA to STA link key (STSL key) secures the link between two STAs that

communicate directly in an ad ...