Deep data Introduction: The increasing demand for network Technologies Used:

plane connectivity from users and service providers has 1.P4 is explicitly named as a domain-
programming resulted in networks that are highly complex, specific language (DSL) used for
and AI for consequently complicating their lifecycle management. programming protocol-independent
zero –trustself This complexity, particularly in the context of 5G and packet processors. P4 is used to express
–driven beyond networks, involves extremely large, dynamic, how packets are processed by the data plane
networking in and complex systems supporting a potential number of of programmable network elements such as
beyond 5G users and an even higher number of devices, such as hardware or software switches, NICs, or
Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Human intervention routers.
in configuring and managing these systems has • A major goal of the proposed framework
historically led to eventual errors, with reports is leveraging AI and P4 to (re)write the
indicating that 80% of businesses experience network source code of network components. The
errors caused by human mistakes on a regular basis. output of the automated code generator,
To address these significant challenges, research efforts AutoP4, is a P4 code that defines the
have been directed toward realizing the concept of Match-Action Table (MAT) pipeline.
Self-Driving Networks (SelfDNs). SelfDNs are Genetic Programming (GP)
envisioned as networks capable of monitoring, • The paper proposes a new GP-based
analyzing, and maintaining themselves automatically, solution called AutoP4 to automate the P4
thereby minimizing or completely eliminating the need code generation.
for human intervention. • Genetic Programming is defined as an
Objectives: 1. Enabling Real-time Telemetry evolutionary approach that extends
Collection: The framework leverages the capabilities of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) for automatic
programmable data planes (P4 is a key example) to writing of computer programs.
enable real-time in-network telemetry collection. This Distributed AI using Federated Learning
capability is crucial for providing the continuous (FL):
assessment and data streams required for autonomous To enable self-managing operations across
network operations. multiple domains while respecting strict
2. Automated Policy Translation and Code Generation: privacy regulations, the framework adopts a
The paper aims to exploit the potential of P4 and distributed AI approach.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) so that the network becomes • Decentralized FL: The implementation
capable of automatically translating a policy intent into utilizes a fully decentralized FL approach
executable actions. This objective goes deeper than to improve learning accuracy and allow
simply applying flow rules; it involves using AI knowledge sharing without compromising
potentially to (re)write the source code of network data security or privacy. This architecture
components. avoids the single point of failure and
3. Decentralized, Secure, and Trustable Knowledge scalability issues associated with traditional
Sharing: The framework utilizes the potential of client-server FL.
Blockchain and Federated Learning (FL) to enable • Local Model Training: Each domain ()
decentralized, secure, and trustable knowledge sharing trains its local model using its own private
between domains. This approach addresses scalability dataset ().
and privacy issues inherent in traditional centralized FL • Model Aggregation (FedAvg): When a
models, fostering cross-domain collaboration while domain receives notifications of new
maintaining data security updates, it waits for other updates via
timers (, ). Once the waiting period expires,
the domain retrieves the model updates
deemed trustable by the smart contract and
computes the global model locally using the
Federated Averaging (FedAvg) technique.
Blockchain for Trust and Security
Blockchain technology is leveraged to
provide a zero-trust mechanism, ensuring
secure and trustable interactions among
participating domains.
• Permissioned Blockchain: The
framework specifically considers a
permissioned blockchain (such as
Hyperledger Fabric) to ensure security,
privacy, and high performance (in terms of
throughput and latency)

Objectives: 1. Enabling Real-time Telemetry

Collection: The framework leverages the capabilities of
programmable data planes (P4 is a key example) to
enable real-time in-network telemetry collection. This
capability is crucial for providing the continuous
assessment and data streams required for autonomous
network operations.
2. Automated Policy Translation and Code Generation:
The paper aims to exploit the potential of P4 and
Artificial Intelligence (AI) so that the network becomes
capable of automatically translating a policy intent into
executable actions. This objective goes deeper than
simply applying flow rules; it involves using AI
potentially to (re)write the source code of network
components.
3. Decentralized, Secure, and Trustable Knowledge
Sharing: The framework utilizes the potential of
Blockchain and Federated Learning (FL) to enable
decentralized, secure, and trustable knowledge sharing
between domains. This approach addresses scalability
and privacy issues inherent in traditional centralized FL
 models, fostering cross-domain collaboration while
maintaining data security

What a great query! Crafting a simple yet impactful introduction requires synthesizing the core message and contributions of the material. Drawing upon the
provided excerpts, here is a simple introduction that clearly outlines the context, problem, proposed solution, and key technologies presented in the paper,
"Deep data plane programming and AI for zero-trust self-driven networking in beyond 5G".

The increasing demand for network connectivity from users and service providers has resulted in networks that are highly complex, consequently
complicating their lifecycle management. This complexity, particularly in the context of 5G and beyond networks, involves extremely large, dynamic, and
complex systems supporting a potential number of users and an even higher number of devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Human intervention
in configuring and managing these systems has historically led to eventual errors, with reports indicating that 80% of businesses experience network errors
caused by human mistakes on a regular basis.
To address these significant challenges, research efforts have been directed toward realizing the concept of Self-Driving Networks (SelfDNs). SelfDNs are
envisioned as networks capable of monitoring, analyzing, and maintaining themselves automatically, thereby minimizing or completely eliminating the need
for human intervention.
Recent technological advances, including Automation, Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), distributed ledger technologies (e.g., Blockchain), and data
plane programming, have provided the tools necessary to explore the vision of trustworthy SelfDNs.
This article proposes a novel framework designed to empower fully distributed trustworthy SelfDNs across multiple domains. The framework achieves
its vision by exploiting three main technological pillars:
1. The capabilities of programmable data planes (P4), enabling real-time in-network telemetry collection.
2. The potential of P4 and AI to automatically translate a policy intent into executable actions, achieved by having AI potentially (re)write the source
code of network components.
3. The use of Blockchain and Federated Learning (FL) to enable decentralized, secure, and trustable knowledge sharing among different network
domains.
A relevant use case is introduced and discussed to demonstrate the feasibility of this intended vision, yielding encouraging results.