CASAN: Clustering algorithm for security in ad hoc networks

Clustering in ad hoc networks is an organization method which consists in grouping the nodes into clusters (groups) managed by nodes called clusterheads. This technique has been used for different goals as routing efficiency, transmission management, information collection, etc. As far as we know, no existing clustering algorithms have taken into account the trust level of nodes for clusterheads election. In this paper, we propose a clustering algorithm for security in ad hoc networks that we called CASAN. CASAN aims to elect trustworthy, stable and high-energy clusterheads that can be used to offer security for application level. Simulations were conducted to evaluate CASAN in terms of clusters stability, load balancing and number of hops to clusterheads. Furthermore, we compare CASAN performances to an existing clustering algorithm called weighted clustering algorithm. Results show that it gives a convenient network division with stable clusters and mainly one hop members. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.