Intent ZT&T: A Feasibility Study of an Intent-Based Networking and Blockchain-Enabled Network Management Architecture
Network, Zero Touch
ntent-Based Networking (IBN) has emerged as a promising paradigm for the autonomous management of complex networks, particularly in response to the increasing demand for automation in cloud and 5G/6G environments. However, this evolution also introduces significant security challenges, as traditional perimeter-based protection mechanisms are no longer sufficient to ensure data integrity, trust, and governance in highly dynamic infrastructures. To address these challenges, this paper proposes Intent Zero Touch & Trust (Intent ZT&T), a novel architectural model that combines the principles of Intent-Based Networking with distributed ledger technology to achieve high-level autonomous network management while providing intrinsic security and continuous trust. The proposed architecture further incorporates a decentralized authentication mechanism based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), establishing a continuous verification environment in which network policies are immutably recorded, validated, and audited throughout their lifecycle. The research methodology comprises two systematic literature mappings to establish the current state of the art in network automation and security, followed by the implementation of a prototype in an emulated network environment integrated with a permissioned distributed ledger. The proposed solution is organized into four architectural layers—abstraction, transaction, processing, and physical. Within this framework, high-level user intents are progressively translated into machine-readable instructions, continuously validated through the transaction layer, and ultimately converted into enforceable network policies by the orchestration engine. Preliminary results indicate that the proposed architecture is technically feasible and enables the decentralization of the control plane, thereby reducing single points of failure while mitigating attacks involving policy poisoning and malicious rule injection. Overall, the convergence of Intent-Based Networking, blockchain technology, and decentralized identity management demonstrates significant potential for enabling secure autonomous network operation, providing trustworthy policy enforcement, automated identity management, and a tamper-resistant audit trail.