Page 29 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

Core network aspects 1

c) Network-level optimization [b-Iiyama]

This form of optimization tackles problems such as the physical limitation of optical fibre capacity
and operation frequency of electrical devices by changing the traffic flows themselves. The
technique also offers potentially higher utilization of network resources such as network paths or
equipment.

– Path optimization
Current networks, which transmit current services such as text or voice, cannot evolve to high-
speed, large-capacity, and low-latency end-to-end (E2E) for all optical networks due to
economical, technical, and other such problems. The path optimization technique provides the
optimized path considering service characteristics and traffic conditions of the transmission
route. It also has the ability to synchronize data sent by a different path, thus enabling sending
of information consisting of multiple data with different characteristics by using a different
path. Combined with operation rate optimization, low- to very high-speed data transmission
can be achieved in a single network that enables simultaneous easy operation and improved
effectiveness.
– Network topology optimization

This technology optimizes upper-layer (e.g., packet layer) network topology using not only
upper-layer information, such as geographical distribution of users' traffic demands, but also
topology information of underlying lower-layer (e.g., optical layer) networks.
– Accommodation point optimization
In current networks, every service is transmitted on the same access line; therefore, an access
point accommodates all services for a user. This decreases accommodation efficiency because
each service has different characteristics such as bandwidth, latency, and usability. The
accommodation point optimization technique provides high accommodation efficiency and
flexible accommodation that enables optimization of the accommodation point considering, for
instance, the possible transmission distance for each service, which fully uses the advantage of
optical technologies and long-distance transmission.

– Cache and storage optimization
The distribution of different contents in an efficient manner improving QoS at lower cost is a
challenge for future networks. The use of storage and caching capabilities allows distributing
and delivering contents as close as possible to the end users, thus optimizing network
performance and improving quality of experience (QoE) of the end users.
– Computing optimization
The computing capabilities provided by the network allow the end users (principally
enterprises) to deploy and run computing tasks (software applications, including optimization
aspects). Distributed computing capabilities inside the network allow more flexible use of the
network and improve both service and network performances.

I.6 Distributed mobile networking (mobility)

In current networks, main functions, such as physical mobility management, authentication, and application
servers, are installed in the centralized systems or the mobile core network. This causes problems such as
scalability, performance, single point of failure, and bottlenecks.

A small and portable wireless access node with distribution of network functions, including mobility
functions, has been attracting broad attention as an alternative access method, especially for residential and
enterprise deployment [b-Chiba]. In this distributed architecture, the mobility events and data paths can be
managed and anchored as closely as possible to the terminals to prevent scalability and performance issues.
Single point of failure and bottleneck issues can also be isolated since only a small number of terminals are
managed at the edge of the access node level.

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