Towards Per-user Flexible Management in 5G

TL;DR

This paper explores moving network management closer to end-users in 5G to enable personalized, per-user service paths, demonstrating proof-of-concept implementations and highlighting areas for further SDN integration improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for per-user flexible management in 5G networks, shifting control towards users for customized service paths.

Findings

Proof-of-concept implementations in ONOS platform

Per-user management enables personalized service paths

Further SDN integration needed in radio and core functions

Abstract

Flexible management is one of the key components of next-generation 5G networks. Currently, many approaches focus on network functionality (services) and translate it afterward into end-user requirements, which slightly constrains the flexibility for both management and end users. Furthermore, moving the intelligence of the network towards the edge (i.e. the users) has already proven its benefits, such as computational offloading, lower latency and higher bandwidth utilization. In this article, we try to move management as close as possible to final users, providing per-user flexibility and unique user to service paths, enabling custom paths adapted for each user requirements instead of users adapting to service requirements. To validate our ideas, we work on two different use cases, implemented as proof-of-concepts in the ONOS platform. From the results obtained we conclude that there is still work to be done regarding the integration of SDN in the radio access and evolved packet core functions to provide the desired flexibility.