Novel core network architecture for 5G based on mobile service chaining

Abstract

A key requirement for the next generation mobile networks is flexibility to support multiple use cases with different network requirements. In this article, we focus on this challenge and propose a novel mobile core network architecture for 5G. We advocate an approach based on Software Defined Networking (SDN) that enables a solution without the need for centralized user plane nodes and with a strict division between control plane and user plane. This allows for flexibility to rapidly deploy network service functions in different deployment setups, supporting multiple use cases. The proposed architecture supports traffic aggregation on multiple granularities, not only per-device tunnels. This allows for efficiency and scalability required to support the massive amount of devices in the 5G time frame.