A Blockchain-Based Resource Supervision Scheme for Edge Devices Under Cloud-Fog-End Computing Models

Abstract

As a combination of cloud computing and edge computing, cloud-fog-end computing models are gradually replacing traditional centralized cloud computing models due to their high controllability and low latency. However, this model has certain shortcomings in terms of resource awareness of edge devices. Two problems are the most prominent. One is that it is difficult to measure the resources of the edge device fairly, and the other is that it is challenging to monitor the resource status in real-time. This circumstance significantly limits the future application of this model. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based resource supervision scheme for edge devices under the framework of the cloud-fog-end computing model. The scheme uses the data openness and verifiability of the public chain to measure and record the resource status of the edge devices through the smart contract. Besides, it uses the high controllability and designability of the consortium chain to supervise the resource status of the edge devices in the fog computing network in real-time. In addition, based on the structure of the scheme, we demonstrate the feasibility and security from multiple perspectives and carry out simulation experiments in the model of TensorFlow-federated. Experimental results show that the scheme can effectively monitor the resources of edge devices in real-time, and this scheme can be used to implement federated machine learning in fog computing networks.