5G Network Slicing

Course outline : 5G network slicing is a network architecture that enables the multiplexing of virtualized and independent logical networks on the same physical network infrastructure.
Network slicing, despite not being a new concept, acts as a key concept to current 5G networks and service delivery, with the goal of providing dedicated private networks tailored to the needs of different verticals based on the specific requirements of a diversity of new services.
The possibility of dynamically instantiating slices through automation enables the provision of slices in an on-demand fashion, dealing to the concept of slice-as-a-service (SlaaS). The SlaaS approach is a versatile tool for trading tailored network capabilities with external third parties such as vertical customers, opening up new opportunities for service providers in a telco cloud environment.
The objectives of this training are to:
- Present the concept of slicing in the 5G system
- Describe the slice types defined by the 5G system and compare them
- Present examples of slice instance, from their characterization via a template to their design and deployment
- Describe the life cycle of a slice instance
- Describe the identities associated with network slicing
- Describe 5G network functions related to network slicing
- Illustrate the registration procedure and the identification of the slice instances a UE will be able to access to
- Illustrate the authentication procedure specific to a slice instance
- Illustrate the PDU session establishment procedure specific to a slice instance

1. Network slicing in 5G system
1.1. RAN slice
1.2. Transport Network slice
1.3. Core Network slice
1.4. Examples

2. Slice Types in 5GS
2.1. eMBB: Enhanced Mobile Broadband
2.2. uRLLC: Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication
2.3. MIoT: Massive IoT
2.4. HMTC: High Performance Machine Type Communications
2.5. V2X: Vehicle to Everything
2.6. HDLLC: High Data rate and Low Latency Communications.
2.7. Comparison between the six different standard slice types

3. Characterization of a slice instance
3.1. Generic Network Slice Template defined in the GSMA NG.116 specification
4. Examples of slice instances
4.1. Examples of eMBB slice instances and their characterization
4.2. Example of uRLLC slice instance and its characterization
4.3. Examples of MIoT slice instances and their characterization
4.4. Example of HMTC slice instance and its characterization

5. Life cycle of a network slice instance
5.1. Characterization
5.2. Design
5.3. Commissioning
5.4. Operation
5.5. De-commissioning

6. Slice Instance Identification
6.1. NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information)
6.1.1. Configured NSSAI
6.1.2. Subscribed S-NSSAI(s)
6.1.3. Requested NSSAI
6.1.4. Allowed NSSAI
6.1.5. Rejected S-NSSAI(s)
6.2. S-NSSAI: Single Network Slice Selection and Assistance Information
6.2.1. SST: Slice Service Type
6.2.2. SD: Slice Differentiator
6.3. NSI: Network Slice Instance
6.4. NSSI: Network Slice Subnet Instance
6.5. NSSP (Network Slice Selection Policy) in URSP (UE Route Selection Policies)

7. Network functions relating to network slicing
7.1. AMF: supports all slice instances of a UE
7.2. NSSAAF: enables a slice specific authentication of a UE
7.3. NSACF: provides admission control to a slice instance
7.4. SMF: ensures the establishment/modification/release of a PDU session in a slice instance
7.5. UPF: Handles the user plane traffic in a slice instance
7.6. NSSF: Identifies slice instances the UE may access to
7.7. NWDAF: Measurement of KPIs per slice instance, such as the load level of a slice instance

8. 5GS registration and identification of slice instances the UE may access to

9. Authentication specific to a slice instance
9.1. NSSAAF
9.2. AAA-Server
9.3. Authentication procedure specific to a slice instance during the UE registration phase

10. PDU session establishment in a slice instance