Multi-Tier HetNets With Random DDoS Attacks: Service Probability and User Load Analysis

The expanded scope and attack surface of the today’s multi-tier heterogeneous wireless network (MHWN), which constitutes the basis of our daily life activities, dictates a deeper understanding of how distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can impact its performance. In this work, we assess the performance of large-scale MHWNs that are subject to random DDoS attacks, considering that 1) each tier may support a different radio access technology and spectrum band, and 2)end terminals have limited access to available tiers. Depending on the capability of end terminals to perfectly detect DDoS actors (or not), we provide a solid analytical framework for assessing the impact of different user association policies on both the service probability and the user load distribution per tier. Among others, our numerical analysis highlights the importance of striking a good balance between optimal system-wide service probability and fair load distribution across the tiers of the MHWN.