Feasibility Study on Stateless Design for 5G Core Virtualized Network Functions

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Abstract

5G-and-beyond mobile communication systems can benefit from Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) when deployed on cloud infrastructures to achieve elasticity and scalability to provide novel services, such as massive MTC for IoT use cases. 3GPP has developed a transition from point-to-point architecture between network entities to service-based architecture. However, new challenges arise regarding managing Network Functions (NFs) states. Especially control plane VNFs, mainly found in cellular core networks like the 5G Core (5GC), received little attention since the shift towards virtualizing NFs. Most existing solutions for these core networks are often complex and intrusive and must comply more with the standard. These devices communicate more deterministically, bringing new opportunities for elaborated state management. This work presents a feasibility study for measurements of state access patterns rigorously. Measurement results provide a solid base for designing an efficient, lightweight state management service toward realizing stateless design for 5G Core's network functions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2025 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops, ICC Workshops 2025
EditorsMatthew Valenti, David Reed, Melissa Torres
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages977-982
Number of pages6
ISBN (electronic)979-8-3315-9624-8
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesIEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops, ICC
ISSN2164-7038

Conference

Title60th IEEE International Conference on Communications
SubtitleCommunications Tehnologies 4Good
Abbreviated titleICC 2025
Conference number60
Duration8 - 12 June 2025
Website
LocationPalais des congrès de Montréal
CityMontreal
CountryCanada

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-8469-9573/work/194822813
ORCID /0000-0001-7008-1537/work/194824887

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • 5G, Network Function Virtualization, Service-based architecture, stateless network function