Page 102 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

1 Core network aspects

Appendix I

Detailed description of LINP
(This appendix does not form an integral part of this Recommendation.)

This appendix provides detailed description of the LINP that is discussed in clause 6.

An LINP is a network of virtual resources where the virtual resources are separated from others and its
capabilities can be dynamically reconfigured. In other words, an LINP is a logical partition of the physical
network and its capability is the same as, or subset of, the physical network. Also, the LINP can expand its
capability by aggregating the multiple virtual resources. From the user's point of view, the LINP is treated as
a network without network virtualization. A virtual resource is an abstraction of a physical or logical resource
and its partition and has the same mechanisms as the physical or logical resource. It can also inherit all
existing mechanisms and tools for the physical or the logical resource. In addition to the mechanisms above,
a virtual resource has several interfaces to access and manage the virtual resource. These interfaces typically
include data plane interfaces, control plane interfaces, and management plane interfaces [b-Vermesan].

An LINP generated by using network virtualization has the following characteristics:
(1) Partitioning
Each LINP consists of a set of virtual resources that are an independently manageable partition of
physical resources. Multiple LINPs can exist on a physical network.
(2) Abstraction
A given virtual resource needs not correspond directly to its physical resource. The detailed
information of the physical resource can be abstracted so that other systems, applications, or users
access the capabilities of the virtual resource by using abstracted interfaces. These interfaces can
be used to guarantee compatibility for accessing the virtual resource and provide an efficient control
of the virtual resource. Also, it is possible to extend the interfaces in order to provide increased
capabilities. The virtual resource can be manipulated through well-defined and extensible interfaces
and allocated to create, modify, reclaim and release LINPs.
(3) Isolation

Virtual resources for forming an LINP are isolated from those for another so that LINPs may not
mutually interfere with one another in terms of performance, security, and namespace and that any
single LINP may not cause disruptions to other LINPs or physical networks. Data in one LINP do not
leak across LINPs without authorization and applications can only communicate over configured
network connections. Unauthorized accesses to other LINPs are prohibited.
(4) Flexibility (Elasticity)

Virtual resources for constructing an LINP are flexibly allocated, reclaimed and released on demand
in order to maximize the accommodation of multiple LINPs on physical resources, to optimize the
usage of the physical resources both temporally and spatially, and also to allow instantaneous and
bursty usage as well as continuous usage of the physical resources.
(5) Programmability
Virtual resources for building an LINP can be programmed for developing, deploying and
experimenting with new communication protocols for innovative data dissemination and for
facilitating efficient data processing to be enabled within the LINP.

(6) Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting
Usage of virtual resources for creating an LINP must be authenticated and authorized so that it may
achieve safe and secure operations of LINPs preventing the abuse of the virtual resources and
malicious attacks on them. It is necessary to account for the allocated virtual resources in physical
networks so that the integrity of virtual resources may be examined and monitored and the usage
of the virtual resources may be optimized.

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