Ad-hoc Network Routing via Distributed Ledger Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ad-hoc networks face challenges in selecting nodes for communication based on up-to-date information and varying requirements such as security, Quality of Service, and observability, leading to inefficiencies and potential security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of distributed ledger technology to manage ad-hoc networks by using routing conditions and performance metrics to dynamically select and validate routing paths, ensuring secure and robust communication through cryptographic validation and noise obfuscation techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes are selected based on past connectivity ability, then routing simplicity is maintained, but routing information becomes outdated and security requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having nodes publish their performance metrics, security capabilities, and connectivity information to the distributed ledger before actual communication needs arise. This advance preparation ensures that when routing decisions are needed, current and accurate information is already available, eliminating the need for complex real-time discovery while maintaining up-to-date routing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed ledger acts as an intermediary between nodes, storing and managing routing information, performance metrics, and security credentials. Instead of nodes directly exchanging complex routing information or trusting each other's claims, they all interact through the shared ledger, which provides a single source of truth that simplifies the routing selection process while ensuring information accuracy.
2Reliability
If centralized communication devices are used, then routing management is simplified, but network decentralization and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores routing information, validates node credentials, tracks performance metrics, and provides security verification. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate centralized management systems while maintaining reliable routing control, allowing the network to scale without adding centralized components.
Solution Approach 2:
Nodes autonomously query the distributed ledger for routing information and validate paths based on their own requirements for security, QoS, and connectivity. Each node serves itself by independently making routing decisions based on shared information, eliminating the need for centralized routing management while ensuring reliable and adaptable routing across the scalable network.
3Reliability
If cryptographic validation is implemented for all routing nodes, then security is enhanced, but processing time and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Nodes perform preliminary cryptographic operations by signing their performance metrics and security credentials when publishing information to the distributed ledger. This advance signing means that when routing validation is needed, the cryptographic verification can be performed quickly on already-signed data rather than requiring complex real-time cryptographic exchanges, thus enhancing security while minimizing validation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus for routing traffic in ad-hoc networks. A routing blockchain network processes routing node information proposals received from manager nodes of network clusters. Performance metrics of one or more nodes in the system are verified using distributed ledger techniques and provided to the manager nodes as updates to each manager node's routing information. The manager nodes further determine routing paths for ad-hoc communication requests based on an authentication event that defines conditions necessary to route traffic streams in association with a particular resource.