Blockchain-Based Resource Discovery for the Intercloud

Achieving efficient and secure resource discovery in the intercloud remains non-trivial. Several peer-to-peer based resource discovery schemes have been proposed by researchers apart from industry bodies such as the Global Inter Cloud Technology Forum (GICTF). The challenges with these distributed schemes include peer-selection, trust/reputation management, transaction record management and financial settlements besides handling failures. We propose a P2P-based resource discovery framework using blockchain which addresses several of the key shortcomings of existing approaches. The proposed framework scores over existing schemes on several functional and performance parameters. It is the first instance of applying the blockchain concept to the intercloud resource discovery process circumventing the need of a trusted third-party or broker between participating Cloud Service Providers (CSPs).