AES Based Security Architecture Of WIMAX Using OMNET++

Although WiMAX is considered to be the last mile protocol but its security still remains a question because it neither encrypts the MAC (Media access control) headers nor the media MAC management messages. Therefore, an attacker can easily launch passive attacks to monitor WiMAX traffic and can retrieve valuable information from unencrypted MAC management messages. This research paper focuses on the analysis of security threats and their mitigation at MAC Layer of WiMAX. PKM (Privacy and Key management) protocol is used in this regard to gain authorization and traffic keying material between the Base Station to Subscriber Station, and to maintain periodic reauthorization and key refresh. The 128 bit key based AES (Advance Encryption Standard) encryption is also implemented. The target is to encrypt communication between WIMAX based BS (Base station) and MS/SS(Mobile station/subscriber station) using AES where encryption is applied on all the packets exchanged. All the simulations are made in OMNET++ and visual C++ language to visualize encrypted packet transmission between BS and SS. Index Term-Privacy Key Management(PKM), Advance Encryption Standard(AES), Subscriber Station (SS), Base Station (BS), Authorization Key(AK)