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How does the 5G Core network enable network slicing across different radio access technologies?

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The 5G Core network is designed to support network slicing, which is a key architectural feature allowing the creation of multiple virtual networks on a shared physical infrastructure. Network slicing is particularly beneficial in 5G because it enables the customization of network resources to meet the diverse requirements of different use cases, applications, and services.

To understand how the 5G Core enables network slicing across different radio access technologies (RATs), it's essential to delve into the technical aspects of the architecture:

  1. Service-Based Architecture (SBA):
    • The 5G Core is built on a service-based architecture, which is a departure from the traditional node-based architecture of previous generations. Services are provided by network functions that communicate using well-defined service-based interfaces.
  2. Network Function Virtualization (NFV):
    • Network functions in the 5G Core are implemented as software and run on virtualized infrastructure. This enables greater flexibility and scalability in deploying and managing network functions.
  3. Control Plane and User Plane Separation (CUPS):
    • The 5G Core employs CUPS, which separates the control plane (responsible for signaling and decision-making) from the user plane (responsible for handling data traffic). This separation allows for more efficient resource utilization and management.
  4. Network Slice Instance (NSI):
    • A network slice is an end-to-end logical network that provides specific services and capabilities. Each network slice is represented by a Network Slice Instance (NSI), which includes both the control plane and user plane functions.
  5. Core Network Functions:
    • The 5G Core includes various core network functions (CNFs) such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), and more. These functions work together to establish and manage connections for different services.
  6. Multi-RAT Support:
    • The 5G Core is designed to support multiple radio access technologies, including 5G New Radio (NR), LTE, and even legacy technologies. This allows for a seamless integration of diverse radio access technologies within the same network.
  7. Slicing Across RATs:
    • Network slicing is achieved by allocating specific resources and configuring network functions for each NSI. The 5G Core can instantiate multiple slices, and these slices can span across different radio access technologies. This means that a single 5G Core can simultaneously support slices for 5G NR, LTE, and other RATs.
  8. Resource Orchestration:
    • The orchestration layer in the 5G Core is responsible for managing and orchestrating resources across the network. It takes input from the network slice management function to allocate resources dynamically based on the requirements of each network slice.