Page 118 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

1 Core network aspects

An LINP operator may require that the software components be moved between multiple LINPs, depending
on service status and end user demands.

In an additional fundamental requirement, network virtualization should provide service continuity. This
allows the LINP operators to provide the services to end-users without service downtime regardless of
whether the services are running in a single LINP or are moved to another LINP.
The requirements for the service mobility are as follows:
– The service mobility is recommended to allow the ongoing service to continue in a transparent
manner regardless of where it is moved.
– The service mobility is recommended to allow an LINP operator to establish connectivity among
multiple LINPs.
– The service mobility is recommended to allow an LINP operator to receive reports about service
status including virtual resource usage.
– The service mobility is recommended to maintain the consistency of the software component's
status during the mobility phase of the software components.
– The service mobility is recommended to provide LINP discovering capability which allows an LINP
operator to find an appropriate LINP that satisfies the demands of the service.

8 Environmental considerations

Network virtualization technology changes the resource (e.g., metal or fibre) consumption and energy
consumption of networks by changing the overall architecture of networks. Further details can be found in
[ITU-T Y.3011].

9 Security considerations

Although network virtualization presents many benefits to both network operators and users, it also brings
about security issues from different viewpoints than conventional ones. For example, it could be possible for
a malicious user to monitor or control virtual resources even if these resources are not allocated to the
malicious user. Thus, implementing malicious access identification and quarantine mechanisms, as well as
AAA functions, is essential to the operation of LINPs. Coordinating relevant management functions so that
they can effectively execute these mechanisms may address these issues.

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