5G network slicing
According to the availability of the assigned resources, a MVNO can autonomously deploy multiple network slices that are customized to the various applications provided to its own users.
[9][10] In the early 2000s, PlanetLab introduced a virtualization framework that allowed groups of users to program network functions in order to obtain isolated and application-specific slices.
The advent of SDN technologies in 2009 further extended the programmability capabilities via open interfaces that enabled the realization of fully configurable and scalable network slices.
The "one-size-fits-all" network paradigm employed in the past mobile networks (2G, 3G and 4G) is no longer suited to efficiently address a market model composed of very different applications like machine-type communication, ultra reliable low latency communication and enhanced mobile broadband content delivery.
Certain applications - such as mobile broadband, machine-to-machine communications (e.g. in manufacturing or logistics), or smart cars - will benefit from leveraging different aspects of 5G technology.
By creating separate slices that prioritise specific resources a 5G operator can offer tailored solutions to particular industries.
[14][15]: 3 Some sources insist this will revolutionise industries like marketing, augmented reality, or mobile gaming,[16][17] while others are more cautious, pointing to unevenness in network coverage and poor reach of advantages beyond increased speed.
Conversely, a one-to-one mapping between each network function and each slice eases the configuration procedures, but can lead to poor and inefficient resource usage.
The benefit of such network element is that it enables an efficient and flexible slice creation that can be reconfigured during its life-cycle.
[4] Operationally, the network slice controller oversees several tasks that provide more effective coordination between the aforementioned layers:[2][3][9] Due to the complexity of the performed tasks which address different purposes, the network slice controller can be composed by multiple orchestrators that independently manage a subset of functionalities of each layer.
To fulfill the service requirements, the various orchestration entities need to coordinate with each other by exchanging high-level information about the state of the operations involved in the slice creation and deployment.
5G network slicing is one of the effective ways to offer customized services for different industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.
Combined with AIOps, ML/AI-driven automation and 5G lifecycle optimization, it can reduce OpEx and increase revenues for network operators.
The user plane handles packet forwarding, encapsulation or de-capsulation, and associated transport level specifics.
[25] Therefore, enhancing the security, privacy, and trust of network slicing has become a key research area toward realizing the true capabilities of 5G.
