What is 5G Core Network Architecture? Take a Look With Mpirical

Summary

The script offers an in-depth look into 5G technology, focusing on the Core network's architecture and its components like PDU Sessions and QoS flows. It explains the roles of AMF, SMF, UPF, UDM, and PCF in managing mobility, sessions, and policy control. The benefits of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and the concept of network slicing are highlighted, showcasing how they provide flexibility and cater to various service requirements, making 5G a versatile enabler for different applications.

Takeaways

• 📡 Empirical offers interactive learning across various training delivery options including Live Onsite, Live Online, and OnlineAnytime.
• 🚀 The 5G Core network introduces a new architecture with a focus on PDU Sessions and Quality of Service (QoS) flows.
• 🌐 PDU Sessions in 5G provide user plane connectivity from the device through the GNB to the UPF and then to the data network.
• 🔍 QoS flows within a PDU session ensure different levels of service quality for varying types of user plane traffic.
• 🆔 Each QoS flow has a unique ID to distinguish it and can have specific characteristics like latency and priority.
• 🛠️ The Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) plays a crucial role in subscriber mobility, security, and registration.
• 🔄 The Session Management Function (SMF) is responsible for the establishment, modification, and teardown of PDU sessions.
• 🌐 The User Plane Function (UPF) serves as an anchor point for NG-RAN mobility and enforces Quality of Service and policy enforcement.
• 🗄️ Unified Data Management (UDM) acts as a central repository for subscriber information, including security keys and data network profiles.
• 🛡️ The Policy Control Function (PCF) implements dynamic policy control based on current network conditions and subscriber activities.
• 🌐 Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) allows for the virtualization of network elements, providing cost savings and increased flexibility.
• 🔄 Network slicing enables service providers to create logical networks with specific features on a common physical infrastructure to cater to diverse service requirements.

Q & A

What are the different delivery options mentioned for training courses?

The training courses can be delivered through Live Onsite, Live Online, or Online Anytime.

What is the focus of the session described in the script?

The focus of the session is the 5G Core network architecture, including PDU Sessions, Quality of Service flows, network functions virtualization, and network slicing.

What is a PDU session in the context of 5G?

A PDU session, or Protocol Data Unit session, is the user plane connectivity in 5G that runs from the mobile device through the GNB to the UPF and then to the data network.

What are QoS flows and how do they relate to PDU sessions?

QoS flows, or Quality of Service flows, are user plane traffic flows that receive a particular level of Quality of Service within a PDU session. They can have different characteristics such as latency, priority, and whether they are guaranteed or non-guaranteed bit rate.

What is the role of the Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in 5G?

The AMF is responsible for mobility management, security, registration, and providing the device with a temporary identity. It knows the tracking area or cell of the subscriber and plays a key role in authenticating the subscriber within the network.

How is session management handled in the 5G Core network?

In 5G, session management is handled by the Session Management Function (SMF), which is responsible for the establishment, modification, and teardown of PDU sessions. It also liaises with the Policy Control Function to determine if a user data session is allowed.

What is the User Plane Function (UPF) and its significance in the 5G network?

The UPF is an anchor point for NG-RAN mobility and is responsible for enforcing Quality of Service, ensuring the right data is sent down the correct QoS flow, and implementing policy as appropriate.

What is the Unified Data Management (UDM) and its function in the 5G Core?

The UDM is a central repository of subscriber information involved with Access Authorization, Registration, Mobility Management, and maintaining the Data Network Profile. It holds security keys and tracks the subscriber's attachment to the network.

What is the Policy Control Function (PCF) and its role in the 5G network?

The PCF implements policy control on a dynamic basis, making decisions based on current network conditions. It can alter both mobility and session-related service aspects and has the ability to influence how subscribers experience their services.

How does Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) benefit the 5G Core network?

NFV allows network functions to be virtualized, running as software processes on Commercial Off The Shelf Servers. This provides cost savings, flexibility, and ease of scaling up or down capacity. It also enables network slicing by allowing logical networks to be created across a common physical infrastructure.

What is network slicing and how does it relate to NFV?

Network slicing allows service providers to create logical networks across a common physical infrastructure, providing different customers with different features and services. NFV is a key enabler for network slicing, as it allows for the flexibility and adaptability needed to support various service environments.