Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) are networks formed informally by wireless devices using peer-to-peer communication. It is widely used in places where there is little or no fixed infrastructure. Due to its inherent nature, securing MANET has become so challenging. This has made its operations susceptible to attacks such as Sleep Deprivation Attack (SDA), Barrage Attack and Rushing Attack. The Sleep Deprivation Attack also known as Resource Consumption Attack wastes network resources like battery power and bandwidth; by constantly flooding the network with illegitimate packets. It deprives the participating nodes from entering into sleep mode to conserve their network resources. The Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA) has been used by different researchers to detect and prevent attacks in MANETs. This work aimed at enhancing the Dendritic Cell Algorithm to prevent Sleep Deprivation Attacks. This was achieved by integrating inflammation signal into three other input signals (safe, danger and PAMP) that were previously used. The Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA) was enhanced by using a fourth sensor for detection. The addition of inflammatory signal to these three already deployed signals improved the Dendritic Cell Algorithm; and led to the development of Enhanced Dendritic Cell Algorithm (EDCA). EDCA increased the rate of detection of Sleep Deprivation Attacks. This is useful in preventing SDA in MANETs.

MANET, Sleep Deprivation Attacks (SDA), Resource Consumption Attack, Inflammatory Signal, Enhanced Dendritic Cell Algorithm (EDCA)