Design of Optimum Key Tree with Minimized Overheads for Secure Multicasting using Genetic Algorithm
Annadurai Samukutty, G. Padmavathi · IETE Journal of Research · 2006
Secure multicasting is an important requirement in today's networks due to the advancements in Internet technology. The multicast security problems are abstracted into key management and distribution problems. Generally, the centralized approaches maintain a virtual key tree for the set of keys used in the secured communication with the help of an entity called Central Controller. The question of whether the storage requirement of the central controller can be minimized while preserving the communication budget constraint is posed as an optimization problem. The hybrid method addresses this problem based on the clustering technique using information theoretic approach. The degree of the tree is another important constraint in this problem. The objective of minimizing the total cost involving the storage and communication overheads with respect to the cluster size and degree is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem and it is solved using Genetic algorithm. The optimum key tree size is recommended for large groups.