Network slicing is a groundbreaking technology in 5G networks, offering the ability to provide tailored Quality of Service (QoS) to meet diverse user demands. This innovative approach allows mobile operators to partition network resources, enabling the simultaneous handling of various types of traffic, such as IoT, MBB, URLLC, and V2X applications, all with distinct transmission requirements. This partitioning ensures that a common 5G network platform can cater individually to different network slices, optimizing performance and efficiency. So, now let us see how does network slicing transform 5G networks along with Reliable Mobile Network Monitoring Tools, Mobile Network Drive Test Tools, Mobile Network Testing Tools and Reliable LTE RF drive test tools in telecom & Cellular RF drive test equipment in detail.
The Fundamentals of Network Slicing
Network slicing leverages a specialized form of virtualization, enabling multiple logical networks to operate on a shared physical infrastructure. This technique provides an end-to-end virtual network, encompassing not just networking, but also compute and storage functions. By partitioning the physical system at an end-to-end level, network slicing allows for optimal traffic grouping, tenant isolation, and resource configuration at a macro level. In LTE, QoS, DiffServ, QCI, VPN, and IP Sec functionalities overlap with network slicing, but the new approach introduces a virtual partitioning of the network, opening up new service and business opportunities in the 5G era, such as power grid communications, factory networks, and temporary concert streaming leases.
Network Slicing in 3GPP Standards
In 3GPP Release 13, the concept of a dedicated core network (DECOR) was introduced, allowing devices to be directed to a specific EPC of the network. DECOR is applicable in virtualized environments, eliminating the need for additional Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) IDs. The Mobility Management Entity (MME) selection and redirection are based on the subscribed User Equipment (UE) usage type, with the MME further selecting the serving gateway and Packet Data Network Gateway (SGW/PGW) accordingly. Each UE corresponds to one usage type, with core network-centric changes and no indicators in Radio Resource Control (RRC) for the eNB to select the right MME.
The UE is provisioned with a default Dedicated Core Network ID (DCN ID) by the Home PLMN, and the serving network provides a DCN ID for that PLMN. The UE stores per PLMN DCN ID, carried in the RRC, enabling the eNB to select the appropriate MME based on the DCN ID.
The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), equivalent to the MME in 5G core, is common to all slices. Each slice is identified by the Specific Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), containing the Slice Differentiator (SD) and Slice Service Type (SST), defining the three basic service types: eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC. The Network Slice Selection Assistance Information is a set of S-NSSAIs, with a maximum of eight sent in signaling messages between the UE and the network. The UE is provisioned with a configured NSSAI per PLMN and provided with allowed NSSAI by the serving PLMN, allowing up to eight simultaneous network slice connections.
Creating a Network Slice for a Customer
Network slicing is driven by customer requirements. When a customer orders a service from a mobile operator, specific network requirements such as service type, capacity, latency, performance, coverage, and security are provided.
Customers provide a Generic Service Template (GST) containing information on service type, performance, capacity, and functionality. The Network Slice Type (NEST) includes specific values for GST parameters, such as 99.995% availability, 20ms latency, and 10Gbps data rate. The operator, acting as the Network Slice Provider (NSP), translates this template into a Network Slice Template (NST), triggering the network instantiation process. The 5G system then provides end-to-end network slice management across all network segments, including 5G RAN, transport, and core. The Unified Data Management (UDM) includes the slice subscription information, and the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) determines the slices at the access and core levels, with the NF Repository Function (NRF) used for service discovery with slice-related identifiers.
Once created, the network slice is valid within a Registration Area (RA), consisting of one or more Tracking Areas (TAs). Registration Areas are defined and used in the core network, while Tracking Areas are visible to the 5G RAN. Each TA is identified by the TA Identifier (TAI), broadcasted in each cell, but not in the network slices. Supported network slices per cell are indirectly indicated via TA to RA mapping.
Benefits of Network Slicing
Network slicing, as developed by 3GPP, offers an efficient way to address complex service demands and provide superior Quality of Experience to end users in a 5G network. By adapting resources to specific customer needs, it offers flexibility and scalability, supporting a wide variety of 5G services using a common network platform. This end-to-end 5G system in RAN, transport, and core helps mobile operators manage diverse 5G service requirements and meet the growing demand for over-the-top (OTT) applications and services.
Network slicing is a transformative feature in 5G technology, enabling mobile operators to meet the dynamic and varied demands of modern network usage, providing tailored services that ensure optimal performance and user satisfaction. Also read similar articles from here.
