Secure and Scalable IoT Networks: Optimizing Blockchain and SDN for Smart Environments

Abstract

As a result of the Internet of Things, high-speed data transmission and ultra-low latency are achieved in various applications. Data tampering in IoT networks can be caused by malicious or accidental interference, however. By combining blockchain technology with software-defined networking (SDN), we can mitigate these problems. IoT devices and SDN controllers will be able to communicate peer-to-peer by using public and private blockchains. For devices with limited resources, it is an ideal solution since it eliminates Proof-of-Work (PoW) and incorporates distributed trust. In this paper, we present a new Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus algorithm that is designed to improve the consistency and reliability of edge devices within the IoT ecosystem, as well as to ensure a high level of trust across IoT ecosystems. During experiments, the integration of SDN and blockchain outperformed existing models in terms of throughput, delay, response time, and CPU utilization, including Blockchain Fundamentals (BCF), AS Cooperative Interdomain Reputation (ASCIR), and Blockchain-based SDN-enabled Secure Routing (BSDNSR).