5G-Serv: Decoupling User Control and Network Control in the 3GPP 5G Network

Abstract

The third generation partnership project (3gpp) fifth generation (5g) network employs software defined networking (sdn) paradigm allowing for a clear separation of control and data plane functionalities. However, the control plane in a 5g network not only performs network control tasks involving control and management of data plane functions but is also responsible for executing ue-specific control tasks. We think these two tasks are independent of each other and present 5g-serv, a new architecture for 5g and beyond mobile networks. The paper presents a preliminary analysis and evaluation of the proposed architecture through flow diagrams. As demonstrated, 5g-serv simplifies the information flow in the 5g network and enhances its modularity and flexibility. The architecture may also be better aligned with the standard sdn paradigm vis-a-vis the 3gpp architecture. © 2021 ieee.