Blockchain Log Pruning for Efficient 5G SLA Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Validating Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) using raw network logs in smart contracts for 5G network resource sharing is computationally intensive and increases blockchain size, and there is no mechanism to remove overdue SLA records, degrading the validation process.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method where filtered or aggregated network resource logs are hashed and stored on the blockchain as periodic log proofs, with raw logs stored off-chain, and a pruning mechanism to remove overdue SLA records, optimizing blockchain size and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If raw network logs are stored and validated on the blockchain, then SLA validation completeness is improved, but blockchain size and computational load increase tremendously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential validation elements (hash values of processed logs) from the complete raw network logs and stores them on the blockchain, while the full logs are stored off-chain. This extraction principle reduces blockchain size while preserving SLA validation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates hash copies of the processed log files instead of storing the original large log files on the blockchain. These hash copies serve as sufficient proof for SLA validation while occupying minimal blockchain space.
2Measurement precision
If raw network logs are validated in smart contract, then SLA validation accuracy is improved, but computational intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs log processing (filtering and aggregation) before blockchain storage, creating processed log files that contain only SLA-relevant information. This preliminary processing reduces the computational burden on smart contracts while maintaining validation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hash values as computational proxies for the full logs. Validating hash values requires minimal computation compared to analyzing raw logs, yet provides sufficient accuracy for SLA validation.
3Loss of information
If overdue SLA records are retained on blockchain, then historical record completeness is improved, but validation process performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pruning mechanism that discards overdue SLA records from the blockchain after their retention period expires. This selective discarding maintains historical completeness for active records while improving validation performance by removing obsolete data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic pruning operations to remove expired SLA records from the blockchain. This periodic maintenance ensures the blockchain remains optimized for current validations while preserving necessary historical records within their retention periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of reducing size of a blockchain. The method includes the steps of providing a series of data files; generating, at a time interval, a series of processed files based on filtering and/or aggregation of the series of data files; for each one of the series of processed files, computing a hash value; adding the hash values respectively to a blockchain as blocks; and storing the series of processed files off the blockchain. The proposed invention aims to develop methods to monitor and validate SLA on the blockchain. It facilitates the faster creation of network resource sharing in a 5G network and reducing the blockchain computational resources required.