Hybrid MANET–DTN and a New Algorithm for Relay Nodes Selection

In this paper, a new way to a selection of the secure relay nodes in hybrid MANET–DTN networks based on the cooperation between routing, trust and game theory mechanisms is introduced. The hybrid MANET–DTN enables delivering the data or messages in the situation when communication paths are disconnected or broken and also in the emergency situations. We focus on the situations when MANET routing protocol cannot establish the end-to-end connection between source and destination nodes. In this situation, it is necessary to select relay nodes, that will be able to transport data or messages between isolated islands of mobile terminals with limited connectivity to other terminals. The proposed algorithm enables to select the relay nodes, that will come into contact with other mobile nodes located in different network areas with regards to trust and game theory. The parameter trust is computed for all mobile nodes and relies on a parameter obtained during routing and data transport processes. The game theory provides a powerful tool to select one candidate from a number of possible nodes with respect to confidence and security. Moreover, we propose a new mechanism to compute and select the trusted node, that can be used for transportation of the secure data in this hostile and disconnected environment. In order to verify the functionalities of this mechanism, we implement this mechanism into the OPNET modeler simulation environment and introduce performance analysis.