Solving the MANET autoconfiguration problem using the 802.11 SSID field

Abstract

The deployment of mobile ad-hoc networks involves several configuration steps, which complicate research efforts and hinder user interest. This problem prompts for new approaches offering full autoconfiguration of terminals at the different network layers involved. In this paper we propose a novel solution for the autoconfiguration of IEEE 802.11 based MANETs that relies on SSID parameter embedding. Our solution allows users to join an existing MANET without resorting to any additional technology, and even in the presence of encrypted communications. Experimental testbed results using a real implementation of the proposed solution show that it is quite effective, allowing all the required configuration steps to take place in under 32 ms without involving any extra traffic overhead on the channel.