P4-assisted context-aware encryption framework for secure packet transmission in active SDN networks
Prashant Vatsprashant.vats@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , Sandeep Kumar Budhanisandeepbudhani13@gmail.comDepartment of Computer ApplicationsSchool of ComputingGraphic Era Hill UniversityBhimtal Campus, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, 263136, IndiaView full profile → , Surabhi Shankersurabhi.shanker@krmangalam.edu.inCentre of Excellence - Cyber SecuritySchool of Engineering and TechnologyK. R. Mangalam UniversityGurugram, Haryana, 122103, IndiaView full profile → , Devesh Kumar Srivastavadevesh.srivastava@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Information TechnologyManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile → , Madan Lal Sainimadan.e13485@cumail.inDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringApex Institute of Technology (AIT)Chandigarh UniversityMohali, Punjab, 140413, IndiaView full profile → , *Ashok Kumar SainiCorresponding authorashok.saini@jaipur.manipal.eduDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringManipal University JaipurJaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, IndiaView full profile →
* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details
- Received:
- 01 Dec 2025
- Published Online:
- 14 Aug 2026
- Article type:
- Research Article
- Language:
- EN
- Article no.:
- JDMSC-2637
- Pages:
- 3001–3009
Abstract
The rapid evolution of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has transformed modern communication systems by enabling centralized and adaptive control of data flows. However, the increasing dynamism of SDN environments poses new challenges to maintain data confidentiality and cryptographic integrity. This paper presents a discrete cryptographic framework for Context-Aware Packet Encryption in Active SDN Networks Using P4-Based Code Injection. The proposed model employs selective, context-driven encryption at the packet level, utilizing discrete mathematical structures to dynamically determine encryption paths and security mappings. By integrating cryptographic primitives directly within the data plane, the framework achieves fine-grained protection while reducing redundancy and latency commonly observed in network-wide encryption mechanisms. Analytical evaluation demonstrates that the proposed approach ensures robust confidentiality, efficient key utilization, and optimal resource allocation under varying network conditions. The results affirm that discrete cryptographic methods can substantially enhance the efficiency and resilience of SDN-based communication systems against evolving security threats.
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References
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