Nokia AirGile cloud-native core: shaping networks to every demand

Nokia AirGile cloud-native core: shaping networks to every demand

The future of core networks? Today s networks focus on delivering voice and broadband services to people. Yet the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the deployment of 5G technologies will require networks to support a much wider range of services. The one-size-fits-all architecture of networks must change. And it all begins with the core network. This means evolving to a cloud-native core, which is programmable and highly adaptable. Here, we look at the technologies and components of cloud-native core networks and explore the benefits for operators and their customers. Contents 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Why core networks must evolve Seven ways cloud-native networks are better Built for the telco cloud All data is streamlined and shared Network slicing begins in the core Major benefits with micro-services Placing core functions where they need to be Four pillars to support the programmable core Cloud-native core networks are shaping up 2 Nokia 2017

Why core networks must evolve The next decade will see unprecedented transformation in the communications industry as the Internet of Things (IoT) connects tens of billions or even hundreds of billions of devices and 5G is deployed commercially. No longer will it be enough for networks to just deliver sufficient bandwidth to satisfy data-hungry users. Instead, networks will need to be super-adaptable to support widely different performance demands. Ultra-reliable connectivity and ultra-low latency will be essential for self-driving cars. Real-time responses will be vital for the instant eye-to-hand feedback needed to remotely control robots. Extreme bandwidth will be the lifeblood of new infotainment and virtual reality applications. Massive, low-cost connectivity will be critical to support billions of connected sensors and meters. Extreme mobile broadband: Extreme capacity and network performance will support growing subscriber demand for better mobile broadband experiences Massive machine communication: The IoT needs reliable communication between billions of sensors and machines and the core network Critical machine communication: Ultra-reliable, low latency communication will be critical requirements for applications that must not fail, such as self-driving cars. Nokia AirGile cloud-native core network will be able to... 10-100 x more devices M2M ultra low cost 10 years on battery >10Gbps peak data rates Massive machine communication # of devices, cost, power Throughput Extreme mobile broadband Critical machine communication 100Mbps whenever needed 10.000 x more traffic latency, reliability <1ms radio latency Ultra reliability 3 Nokia 2017

Seven ways cloud-native networks are better The core network was the first domain to be transformed by the telco cloud. Core networks will continue to lead the evolution as they become cloud-native and programmable. 1. Support a wide variety of business models: A flexible core will support converged services using multiple fixed and mobile access technologies, meeting the needs of new industry and enterprise customers 2. Profit from new high-performance services: A highly agile core network will efficiently deliver new services providing extreme latency, connectivity, mobility and service availability 3. Efficiently deal with unpredictable demand: Operators will gain the means to adapt instantly to traffic fluctuations and cost-effectively shape and scale network resources to match different service needs 4. Manage growing network complexity: As new services and technologies arise in the 5G era, the programmable core will provide flexibility and automation to manage increasingly complex networks 5. Bring innovation rapidly to market: Using an open network platform enables growth in many sectors beyond Telecommunications. The new cloud-native network architecture will make it easier to introduce new services and boost revenues. 6. Safeguard critical applications: A cloud-native core network will enable extreme network security to prevent attacks by implementing continuously improving automated, error-free security infrastructure 7. Be energy efficient and eco-friendly: By automatically optimizing resources, a cloud-native core will be more energy efficient than traditional core networks. 4 Nokia 2017

Built for the telco cloud Instead of virtualizing and moving conventional core network architecture onto cloud infrastructure, the Nokia AirGile cloud-native core network is built from the ground up for the cloud. The Nokia cloud-native applications are decomposed into micro-services, this means, tasks are broken down into separate services that are modular and can run in different locations. Network functions can be moved to the edge of the network to meet the low latency demands of critical machine type communication. MANO Modular and open architecture Stateless VNFs DevOps The modular structure also makes it easier to introduce future network functions and allows any function to be implemented and scaled rapidly whenever required. Telco cloud security Service chaining Distributed edge & access cloud Network slicing Microservices Open API Building blocks of cloud-native networks. 5 Nokia 2017

All data is streamlined and shared The Nokia AirGile cloud-native core network also implements a layered architecture in which not only are the user and control planes separated, but virtualized network functions (VNFs) become state-less and data-less. A Shared Data Layer (SDL) stores subscriber and session information, creating a very flexible network in which any VNF has access to all data whenever required and from any location. The network also becomes more robust because in case of a VNF failure or SW upgrade, it is easy to switch in a replacement VNF that has instant access to the same data to provide continuity of service. This simplified arrangement not only enables easy and massive scaling, but it also reduces signaling traffic substantially. Analytics Data exposure API exposure Open Export API A single information repository enables VNFs to become data-less. Shared data repository States & data Subscriber Session Policy Other Data sharing Multivendor API Control plane User plane VNFs HSS AAA EPC TAS CSCF 3 rd Party 6 Nokia 2017

Network slicing begins in the core Networking slicing is one of the fundamental building blocks of the 5G core networks. It's the only way operators will be able to segregate traffic for difference services and deliver specific sets of KPIs for each of them. Operators can use network slicing to create and run separate logical networks on the same physical network infrastructure. These independent network instances meet industry-specific Service Level Agreement (SLA) needs for connectivity, mobility, capacity, security, redundancy and QoS/QoE. Network slices Cloudnative core IoT Private network Other The virtual networks can exist simultaneously and without interfering with each other. For example, one network instance offering ultra-low latency for autonomous vehicle control can co-exist with another virtual network for high-definition virtual reality that needs extremely high throughput. With network slicing, the concept of the Network-as-a-Service will finally become a reality. Smartphones / Tablets Health IoT case Mission critical devices Network slicing to meet the performance requirements of different industries. 7 Nokia 2017

Major benefits with micro-services and DevOps Programmability is the powerhouse of flexibility. And an open network platform maximizes this flexibility. That s because open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) allow flexible and fast creation and modification of services to meet the needs of multiple industry segments. Code Plan Release Deploy Using well-established IT techniques, network functions can be broken down into micro-services. These can then be combined to simplify the design, development and implementation of new capabilities into the live network using automated delivery. Services can be introduced quickly by applying DevOps, which creates a new culture through the continuous integration of development and operations. Build Dev Test Monitor Ops Operate This gives operators new powers to deliver the right Quality of Experience (QoE) with a much faster time-to-market for innovative services. DevOps model will lead to greater innovation. 8 Nokia 2017

Placing core functions where they need to be By taking advantage of a layered architecture, the cloudnative core is able to put control and processing power in the most effective locations to support specific services. A mix of centralized and distributed cloud deployment is the most costeffective way to meet all the varying needs of different services and applications. Hosting core network functions in distributed data centers close to the edge of the network, as part of a Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) deployment, will, for example, reduce latency to support autonomous vehicles or augmented reality. Similarly, the data layer can be made available closer to the point of service delivery to improve reliability and response time. Demand Distributed data centers Centralized data center OSS Core Access Access controllers Placing core network functions closer to users improves latency to support critical applications. 9 Nokia 2017

Enabling technologies to support the programmable core Let s finish our tour of what makes the Nokia AirGile cloud-native core network tick by looking at four key technologies that enable the core to configure, orchestrate, secure and deliver network services. Service chaining sets up the building blocks of a specific service. It selects the required functions and configures them in the correct sequence to ensure none are used unnecessarily, ensuring the most efficient use of the network s resources and optimizing service performance. Programmable transport deploys Software Defined Networks (SDN) in the mobile backhaul, aggregation and backbone network to enable the use of traffic optimization, bandwidth allocation and MEC to reduce latency. Automated Management and Orchestration (MANO) provides lifecycle management and coordination of network slices, SLA monitoring, provisioning of services, automated deployment of VNFs and scaling of cloud resources. Embedded security: With 5G supporting many more applications, the requirements for security and data protection will become increasingly stringent. Trust will be a vital attribute for customers running their critical services on 5G networks. Automated management of security and administrative policies will give operators full control over all the security aspects of their networks. 10 Nokia 2017

Nokia AirGile cloud-native core network is shaping up The demands of the Internet of Things and the era of 5G is driving the development of a more flexible, more open and more efficient core network. We have already seen some of the required developments, notably the telco cloud and software defined networking, being implemented as we look beyond 4G. Yet, the core network must evolve much further to be able to serve the wide range of applications and players that will become prominent as 5G networks are deployed. Nokia is developing the key solutions that are needed to deploy programmable core networks that are cloud-native. 11 Nokia 2017

Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. Nokia Oyj Karaportti 3 FI-02610 Espoo Finland Tel. +358 (0) 10 44 88 000 Product code SR1708015277EN Nokia 2017