The disaggregated and multi-vendor nature of OPEN-RAN networks introduces new supply chain security risks, making equipment authenticity and integrity crucial challenges. Robust solutions are needed to mitigate vulnerabilities in manufacturing and integration. This paper puts forth a novel blockchain-based approach to secure OPEN-RAN equipment through its lifecycle. By combining firmware authentication codes, a permissioned blockchain ledger, and equipment node validators, we architect a tamper-resistant ecosystem to track provenance. The outlined design, while conceptual, establishes a foundation and roadmap for future realization. Through careful implementation planning, development of core components like firmware signed hashes and smart contracts, and rigorous performance evaluation, this paper can evolve from concept to practice. There is a vivid potential to make OPEN-RAN supply chains corner to corner secure, igniting further research and real-world deployment.
翻译:OPEN-RAN网络因解耦与多供应商特性引入了新的供应链安全风险,设备真实性与完整性成为关键挑战。亟需稳健方案以降低制造与集成环节的脆弱性。本文提出一种基于区块链的新型方法,旨在通过设备全生命周期保障OPEN-RAN设备安全。通过融合固件认证码、许可型区块链账本及设备节点验证器,我们构建了一个防篡改的溯源生态系统。尽管当前设计仍处于概念阶段,但已为未来实现奠定基础并规划路线图。通过审慎的实施方案设计、固件签名哈希与智能合约等核心组件开发,以及严格的性能评估,本文所提方案有望从概念走向实践。该技术存在巨大潜力,可实现OPEN-RAN供应链端到端的安全防护,从而推动进一步研究与实际部署。