Automated key exchange protocol evaluation in delay tolerant networks

Cryptographic key exchange is considered to be a challenging problem in Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) operating in deep space environments. The difficulties and challenges are attributed to the peculiarities and constraints of the harsh communication conditions that DTNs typically operate in, rather than the actual features of the underlying key management cryptographic protocols and solutions. In this paper we propose a framework for evaluation of key exchange protocols in a DTN setting. Our contribution is twofold as the proposed framework can be used as a decision making tool for automated evaluation of various communication scenarios with regards to routing decisions and as part of a method for protocol evaluation in DTNs.