3GPP NFV Study Looks at Management of Mobile Networks
By The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is an initiative with seven telecommunications standard development organizations. A new study by the group looks at Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) management of mobile networks, including virtualized network functions.
The growth of mobile broadband technology pushes the limits of existing networks. Telecoms are waiting for 4G deployments to be finalized and eagerly looking forward to 5G. Until then, they have to leverage existing infrastructures with new solutions. The virtualization of networks is one way for operators to manage their resources more efficiently.
Based on the architectural framework defined by the ETSI NFV Industry Specification Group, the 3GPP observed the NFV management functions and solutions for mobile core networks. This included what the impact of NFV-MANO (Management and Orchestration) would have on the 3GPP management system.
The 3GPP NFV approved the SA5 Technical Report 32.842 “Study on network management of virtualized networks” in Release 13. The SA5 specifies the requirements, architecture and solutions for provisioning and management of the network and its services. And in Release 14 it will be working on:
- Management Concept - Architecture and Requirements for mobile networks that include virtualized network functions (TS 28.500)
- Lifecycle Management
- Configuration Management
- Fault Management
- Performance management
Although NFV provides solutions network operators desperately need, the deployment of the technology requires the right sets of management. With NFV-MANO, a working group of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Industry Specification Group, the right protocols are established and followed to avoid the problems associated with rapid spin up of network components. The work group is divided into NFV Orchestrator, VNF Manager and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager.
“The completion of the TR Study and the start of normative specification work for NFV management once again demonstrate the strong network management expertise in SA5 and the ability of 3GPP to quickly respond to market requirements,” said Thomas Tovinger, the Chairman of SA5.
Network capacity is one of the biggest challenges telecoms, data centers and enterprises will have to face as we continue to create more data. The difficulties of new network services as it applies to software-defined networking and networks that support OpenFlow is only going to get more complex. With the standards and specifications 3GPP develops, operators can deploy technologies knowing they can deliver the service required for the infrastructure that is in place.
