ARMLCC: Adaptive and recovery-based Multi-Layer Connected Chain Mechanism for Multicast Source Authentication

Source authentication in multicast communication is essential and challenging requirement. In this paper we address the multicast stream authentication problem when the communication channel is under the control of an opponent who can drop, reorder or inject data. In such a network model, robustness against packet loss, packet overhead and computing efficiency are important parameters to be taken into account when designing a multicast source authentication mechanism. The proposed scheme is based on adaptive and multi-layer connected chain structure in addition to an efficient recovery information model. It adapts the redundancy chaining degree depending on the actual packet loss rate in the network. Our mechanism provides non-repudiation of the origin and tolerates packet loss with low communication overhead, low delay and buffer capacity on the receiver side. NS-2 simulations show significant improvements over mechanisms in the same category.