5G Network Slicing Defined | Mpirical

Summary

This video delves into the concept of network slicing in 5G, exploring its evolution from 4G and its role in supporting diverse business sectors beyond consumer applications. Network slicing enables mobile service providers to create customized, logical networks that meet specific customer needs, including industries like automotive, healthcare, and IoT. The process involves orchestration for managing the life cycle of slices and ensuring optimal performance. With an emphasis on 3GPP standards and collaboration with organizations like GSMA, network slicing opens up new business opportunities and operational efficiencies for service providers, while also being critical for enabling the full potential of 5G.

Takeaways

• 😀 Network slicing is a 5G-specific feature that enables the creation of isolated logical networks tailored to different customer needs and business purposes.
• 😀 5G network slicing allows mobile service providers to support multiple market verticals (e.g., automotive, IoT, healthcare) beyond traditional consumer services.
• 😀 The concept of network slicing is only possible with standalone 5G, as non-standalone 5G does not have the capabilities to support it.
• 😀 4G, although initially consumer-centric, began to evolve with cellular IoT technologies (e.g., NB-IoT, LTE-M) to support business applications, setting the stage for 5G network slicing.
• 😀 A network slice is created by configuring and isolating parts of the 5G network infrastructure, including the Radio Access Network (RAN), Core Network (5GC), and Packet Transport Network (PTN).
• 😀 Each network slice has specific attributes and characteristics based on the service level agreement (SLA) with the customer, ensuring tailored services for each use case.
• 😀 Orchestration and lifecycle management of network slices are essential, as service providers must manage, monitor, and tear down slices based on customer requirements.
• 😀 Network slicing is scalable, meaning that hundreds or even thousands of slices can exist on a single physical network, but this requires efficient orchestration and monitoring tools.
• 😀 The **Network Slice Template (NEST)** is used to define the specific attributes (e.g., latency, security, throughput) required for each network slice, ensuring that customer needs are met.
• 😀 Standardization is critical for the success of network slicing, with organizations like 3GPP, GSMA, and ETSI involved in creating the necessary specifications for interoperability and consistent implementation.

Q & A

What is network slicing in 5G?

Network slicing in 5G refers to the creation of multiple, logically separated virtual networks within a single physical infrastructure. Each network slice is configured to meet specific business requirements, such as bandwidth, latency, and reliability, and is tailored to different market verticals or customer needs.

How does network slicing differ from traditional network setups?

Traditional networks are usually designed to serve all users with the same set of resources. In contrast, network slicing allows for the creation of separate, dedicated virtual networks with unique configurations and attributes, providing customized services for different applications or customers.

What are the key components needed to support a network slice?

A network slice requires three critical components: the Radio Access Network (RAN), the 5G Core (5GC), and the transport network. These components work together to create a logically separate network slice that can support specific attributes required by a customer or application.

What role does slice orchestration play in network slicing?

Slice orchestration is essential for managing the lifecycle of network slices. It involves creating, configuring, monitoring, and deactivating network slices based on customer requirements. Effective orchestration ensures that network slices are allocated the appropriate resources and maintain performance standards throughout their lifecycle.

Can network slices be used for non-5G access technologies?

Yes, network slices are not limited to 5G RAN. They can also be implemented using non-3GPP access technologies like Wi-Fi or even wireline access. The concept of network slicing extends beyond just 5G to offer flexibility in service delivery across different access networks.

What is the significance of the Network Slice Template (NEST)?

The Network Slice Template (NEST) defines the specific requirements for each network slice, including attributes like latency, security, bandwidth, and reliability. It is used to configure the network slice based on the customer’s service-level agreement (SLA), ensuring the slice meets the necessary performance and quality standards.

What are the key industry verticals that can benefit from 5G network slicing?

Industries such as automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics can benefit from 5G network slicing. Each vertical has unique requirements, such as ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) for autonomous vehicles or massive machine-type communication (mMTC) for IoT devices, all of which can be supported by dedicated network slices.

How does 5G network slicing enable revenue growth for mobile service providers?

Network slicing allows mobile service providers to offer tailored services to different industry sectors, each with its own requirements. By providing customized network slices for various business use cases, providers can generate new revenue streams from customers beyond the traditional consumer market.

What is the relationship between network slicing and cellular IoT?

Cellular IoT, which includes technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M, was introduced in 4G to support machine-to-machine communication. While it helped providers move away from a consumer-centric market, network slicing in 5G offers a more flexible, end-to-end solution that can support a broader range of IoT applications with specific network characteristics, such as low latency or high throughput.

What are the key 3GPP specifications related to network slicing?

Key 3GPP specifications related to network slicing include 23.501, which outlines the architecture for 5G networks, including network slicing. Other important documents include 28530-2533 and 28541, which focus on network slice management and orchestration. These specs define how network slicing is implemented and managed within the 5G ecosystem.