Blockchain-Enabled Authentication Handover With Efficient Privacy Protection in SDN-Based 5G Networks

Abstract

5G mobile networks provide additional benefits in terms of lower latency, higher data rates, and more coverage, in comparison to 4G networks, and they are also coming close to standardization. For example, 5G has a new level of data transfer and processing speed that assures users are not disconnected when they move from one cell to another; thus, supporting faster connection. However, it comes with its own technical challenges relating to resource management, authentication handover and user privacy protection. In 5G, the frequent displacement of the users among the cells as a result of repeated authentication handovers often lead to a delay, contradicting the 5G objectives. In this paper, we propose a new authentication approach that utilizes blockchain and software defined networking (SDN) techniques to remove the re-authentication in repeated handover among heterogeneous cells. The proposed approach is designed to assure the low delay, appropriate for the 5G network in which users can be replaced with the least delay among heterogeneous cells using their public and private keys provided by the devised blockchain component while protecting their privacy. In our comparison between Proof-of-Work (POW)-based and network-based models, the delay of our authentication handover was shown to be less than 1ms. Also, our approach demonstrated less signaling overhead and energy consumption compared to peer models.

A Comprehensive Survey on Mobility Management in 5G Heterogeneous Networks: Architectures, Challenges and Solutions

“…The frequent occurrence of HO transactions with 5G leads to security issues and delays that conflict with 5G targets if authentication procedures are performed inefficiently. For this purpose, a new authentication approach using blockchain and SDN techniques is proposed in [94] to remove reauthentication on repeated HO. With the proposed approach, users' privacy is protected and a fast and secure connection is achieved by eliminating the duplicate authentication procedure.…”

A Review on Application of Blockchain in 5G and Beyond Networks: Taxonomy, Field-Trials, Challenges and Opportunities

“…It can be seen, several issues need to be addressed for SDN An improved authentication approach is proposed using Blockchain and SDN to minimize performance degradation due to frequent handover among dense heterogeneous 5G cells [42]. The proposed authentication mechanism minimizes the need for re-authentication during handover resulting in lower delay and service disruption.…”

Blockchain and SDN Architecture for Spectrum Management in Cellular Networks

“…In addition, by eliminating total network control by any one node, the associated risks of single point failure and multi-vendor device isolation can be mitigated thereby enhancing fault recovery [31]. Also, in networks consisting of multiple SDN controller domains, the integration of blockchain and SDN makes it possible to provide network redundancy and faster recovery from network failure in the event any SDN controller fails [32]. This is possible since the network information stored in the blockchain is shared across all the other SDN controllers making it possible for another SDN controller to manage the affected domain.…”

“…Furthermore, security concerns in SDN especially with respect to sharing network resources can be addressed using blockchain [32], as it ensures the privacy of network users by preventing untrusted members in the SDN network from viewing and modifying shared resources and records.…”