Blockchain and Large-Scale Heterogeneous Networks

A large-scale heterogeneous network (HetNet) integrates different types of networks into one uniform network system in order to provide seamless one-world network coverage. In this perspective, HetNet involves most important networks including the Internet, mobile cellular networks, satellite networks, ocean-based networks, etc. Different from traditional isomorphic networks and other HetNets, a large-scale HetNet holds such characteristics as heterogeneity, distribution, multiple-operator domains, dynamic topology, self-organization, openness, high latency and scalability. These specific characteristics introduce new challenges in network management and cause severe security threats in many aspects and different layers. For example, identity management, trustworthy network access and handover, secure and intelligent routing, authentication/authorization/accounting (AAA) management, secure data transmission and key management, especially end-to-end secure communications. Apart from the above, privacy protection becomes crucially important in order to preserve user identity privacy, personal information privacy and communication data privacy. However, the current literature normally focuses on a specific type of HetNets, such as wireless HetNet, sensor HetNet, and cellular HetNet, lacking support on generality and universality. Existing solutions normally apply a centralized network management framework to realize secure authentication and management by relying on some trusted parties and thus cannot afford single-point attack and internal hackers. They cannot support source node authentication, user identity authentication and routing information authentication in a uniform way with high scalability. The large-scale heterogeneous network (LS-HetNet) requires decentralized and high-efficient network management with generality, universality, scalability and trustworthiness. 

Blockchain is a promising technology for decentralized trust management by providing transparent and consistent data storage ensured by cryptographic methods. It has such advantages as high fault tolerance, data consistency and non-repudiation, and information traceability. Applying blockchain to realize LS-HetNet management and security protection is becoming an interesting and significant topic since it can simplify and unify network management and its security management with regard to AAA, key management, routing and network functionality extension, as well as overcome some potential network attacks. However, employing blockchain mechanisms in HetNets, especially LS-HetNet, still faces some technical challenges and limitations. For example, how to design an efficient and lightweight blockchain system to achieve HetNet management and security protection, how to preserve user privacy when network domain is crossed, and how to support secure and intelligent routing with blockchain. In addition, blockchain technology is still in its infancy and might face new issues and challenges when applied to HetNets.

To address these issues and opportunities, this special issue invites original research that investigates blockchain technologies and decentralization mechanisms for HetNets, especially LS-Hetnet. The topics of interest include, but not limited to:

• Blockchain for HetNet 
• Blockchain and HetNet AAA
• Blockchain and HetNet key management
• Blockchain and HetNet trust management
• Blockchain and HetNet security 
• Novel blockchain consensus mechanisms
• Design, optimization and improvement of HetNet protocols based on blockchain
• HetNet identity management and access control based on Blockchain
• Hetnet privacy preservation based on blockchain 
• HetNet routing and blockchain
• Analysis and modeling of the efficiency and cost of blockchain
• Decentralized schemes for HetNet
• Security of blockchain
• • Blockchain for data collection and analysis in HetNet

Important Dates

• Paper Submission: 1 October 2019
• First-Round Review Notification: 1 February 2020
• Notification of Acceptance: 15 April  2020
• Camera Ready Submission: 1 June 2020
• Tentative Publication’: August-October 2020

Guest Editors

• Prof. Zheng Yan, Xidian University, China and Aalto University, Finland
• Prof. Yulei Wu, University of Exeter, UK
• Prof. Weizhi Meng, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
• Prof. Mohammed Atiquzzaman, University of Oklahoma, USA
• Prof. Vijay Varadharajan, The University of Newcastle, Australia
• For any queries, contact Prof. Zheng Yan

Submission Instructions

Digital Communications and Networks (DCN), indexed by SCIE and Scopus and fully open access  through ScienceDirect, publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high quality original articles and authoritative reviews. Only original and unpublished research papers will be considered in this special issue. Authors should follow the DCN manuscript format described in the Information for Authors at DCN journal website (http://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/digital-communications-and-networks/). Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy to the Elsevier DCN on-line manuscript system via (https://www.evise.com/profile/#/DCAN/login) according to the following timetable and choose the article type as “SI: Blockchain and HetNet”.