Blockchain-Based Distributed Service Registry and Discovery in 6G Core Network

Abstract

Compared with previous generations of traditional network, the 5G core network uses a service-based architecture, in which the communication between network functions (NF) depends on a centralized multi-level service registry and discovery mechanism. In the 6G era, the core network will be further distributed and the participants in the network ecosystem will be more diverse. Therefore, a more flexible and efficient way is needed to achieve rapid addressing while avoiding the trust problem between different participants. As a “decentralized” information storage and management technology, Blockchain is naturally suitable for solving this problem. In this paper, we propose an effective service registry and discovery method. This method uses blockchain technology to record the information of the core network NF, then other processes can be realized through it. The application scenario and scheme of this method are introduced, as well as the feasibility and functional integrity are verified.