Evaluating Techniques for Network Layer Independence in Cognitive Networks

Cognitive networks are the latest progression of cognitive functionality into the networking stack, an effort which began with a layer one and two focus on cognitive radios, and has lately been extended to layer three and beyond. In this paper we evaluate an approach to network layer independence in wireless cognitive networks, utilizing and extending HIP to provide host identity across a myriad of network layers that evolve to meet application and environmental constraints and requirements. We detail a use case for this type of flexibility, specifically, a disaster relief scenario with complex usage and security requirements, and present evaluations that validate this approach. This work is a part of COGNET, an architectural framework for research into architectural tradeoffs and protocol design approaches for cognitive radio networks at both local network and the global internetwork levels.