Page 247 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

Core network aspects 1

– The tightly coupled control function and forwarding function of mobile packet core gateway leads
to the extension of hardware device as a whole, even when the control function and forwarding
function have different extension requirements and capability requirement.
– Selection mechanism of gateway is mainly based on the load information of the GW control
function, not the real-time load of the forwarding function. A gateway may be selected even if its
forwarding function is experiencing busty traffic overload.
– The gateway's control function and forwarding function are located in the same equipment.
However, due to the proliferation of smart phones and tablets, and people's interest in multi-media
services, the mobile traffic grows exponentially. Capacity increase of forwarding function is faster
than control function. If we keep to couple control function and forwarding function, it becomes
difficult for the gateway to improve the data-handling capacity in a flexible manner.
– There is a strong expectation to reduce the network latency when users search the Internet, conduct
real-time communication, or others. Simply distributing the gateway closer to the RAN may lead to
an increased number of gateways, and also of interfaces to other network entities like mobility
management, resulting in a negative impact on configuration and network management.

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