Your guide to

building a cloud
native 5G Core

Security

O&M
5G Core

Automation

Voice

Infrastructure

October 2020
2 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Preface

Contents We can safely say that during 2020,

03 Introduction the 5G train left the station.
04 Cloud native infrastructure A key part of any 5G project is the
for 5G Core introduction and journey to 5G Core (5GC)
05 5G Core or a 5G system. In order to share our views
06 5G voice and learnings around this essential topic
07 Automation and orchestration and support communications service
08 Transforming operations providers (CSPs), we have developed a
and management series of papers which together offer a
10 Security comprehensive guide, covering key topics
11 Summary for your 5G projects.
This top-level paper offers an
introduction to the guide series, while each
guide paper digs deeper into the important
topic areas to consider when it comes to
building a 5G core network.
3 Ericsson |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Introduction

Automation Operations
Cloud native Network
5G Core 5G voice and and
infrastructure security
orchestration management

Cloud native
5G Core

A new business landscape For all CSPs around the world, there are network has the potential to become a
The introduction of 5G signals the three key steering plans to manage the platform for differentiated services. New
start of a new era for CSPs, where both organization – these being the business, services will, to a large extent, be based
networks and businesses are evolving and network and operational plans. To address on collaboration and co-creation, where
expanding. A new business landscape new challenges and opportunities going capabilities of the network are exposed to
is arising, where growing numbers of forward, these plans must be much more enable this differentiation.
capabilities are added to the network interlinked than they might have been in The opportunities for growth exist both
that can improve current services as well the past. in the traditional consumer segment as
as address new business needs. Thus, 5G well as in enterprise and industries. In this
Figure 1: The link between business, series of papers which offers “Your guide
offers up a real opportunity for CSPs to
network and operational plans for to building a cloud native 5G Core”, we
grow revenues and capture more value.
CSPs to address will focus on the network and operational
5G represents a paradigm shift,
where the telecom industry is now taking aspects, digging deeper into these key
substantial steps towards using the same topic areas.
building blocks as the IT industry. The 5GC More information around business
standalone (SA) has a new Service-Based opportunities in 5G for Consumers1 and 5G
Architecture (SBA), which is based on IT for Business2 is available on ericsson.com.
principles and designed for cloud native Business Many areas, topics and network
implementation. We also see that other domains must be considered by CSPs
parts of the network, like Radio Access during the journey to a cloud native 5GC.
Network (RAN), are being standardized We have chosen six topic areas that we
along the same lines. A cloud native 5GC is think are relevant to explore in more detail,
necessary to meet market demands in the though it is not in any way an exhaustive
Network Operations
form of new and distributed capabilities, list. The chosen areas are virtualized
and deliver faster time to market, but also infrastructure, the 5GC itself, voice in 5G,
to achieve improved total cost of automation and orchestration, evolution of
ownership (TCO). operations and security.
Though the journey towards a
fully cloud native network will take
considerable time to achieve, it does In this new business landscape, it is
represent a clear target architecture for important for CSPs to formulate a clear
the transformation journey at hand. The strategy and make careful choices on
introduction of new technologies plays an which opportunities to pursue and what
important role in achieving new benefits role to aim for in the value chain. Based on
and capturing opportunities. However, these strategic choices, an iterative process
it is not the only thing that needs to can begin to formulate the different plans,
be transformed. where key business needs are reflected
The new business landscape is one in the way that both the network and
where traditional ways of working need operations are developed.
to be challenged and existing “silos” A business plan articulates the reason
have to be replaced with continuous “to be” for any company. 5G represents a
collaboration across the organization and tremendous opportunity for CSPs, as the
ecosystems of business partners.

1
https://www.ericsson.com/en/5g/5g-for-consumers
2
https://www.ericsson.com/en/5g/5g-for-business
4 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Cloud native infrastructure

for 5G Core

No journey to a 5G Core will look the same – a key parameter

will be the starting point of this journey. This combined
with the chosen strategy will influence the path taken.

Some CSPs have come quite far on their We see two alternatives for the evolution
virtualization journey, while others have of the cloud infrastructure: To read more around the topic of
not yet begun. As the introduction of 5G • The existing network function cloud infrastructure and cloud native
Core opens up new business opportunities, virtualization (NFVI) is complemented design, we recommend the “Building
the core network now needs to support with a CaaS platform. This allows for the a cloud native infrastructure”3 and
cloud native network functions and possibility to run virtual machine-based “The cloud native transformation”4
container-based software. This is done applications in parallel. This will be guides in the series.
by introducing a Cloud Native Computing beneficial if the current NFVI is a stable
Foundation (CNCF) certified container multi-VNF telco cloud. We believe this
as a service (CaaS) platform based will be the next step for the majority
on Kubernetes. of CSPs.
Key characteristics of using this • A new bare metal infrastructure without
platform include efficient automation a virtualization layer is introduced
of continuous integration/continuous alongside the current virtualization
delivery (CI/CD) loops, automated life platform or platforms. This solution
cycle management (LCM) and operations will have a simpler stack and make
of containerized network functions better use of the underlying hardware.
(CNFs) over a managed software defined It enables more efficient CI/CD
infrastructure (SDI). capabilities. This will be the long-term
type of architecture for the telco cloud,
and will start to be introduced during
2021 by some CSP networks around
the world.

Figure 2: Cloud native transformation journey and deployment options

Current Next Future

Cloud Cloud
VNFs Prioritizing benefit and VNFs + native Evolved MANO and VNFs + native
minimizing impact apps bare metal CaaS apps

MANO MANO MANO

Open stack API Open stack API K8s Helm API Open stack API K8s Helm API
CEE (IaaS) CCD (CaaS)
SDI CEE (IaaS) CEE (IaaS) CCD (CaaS)
SDI SDI

Cloud
native
apps

MANO
K8s Helm API
CCD (CaaS)
SDI

3
https://foryou.ericsson.com/cloud-native-infrastructure-report.html
4
https://Foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-cloud-native-design.html
5 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

5G Core

Dual-mode 5G Core brings together EPC and 5GC

under one operations and management network to
offer a flexible journey and enable new opportunities.

5G is not only about introducing 5G Based on the reality that different

new radio (NR). To fully enjoy and technologies will have to live together for To read more on how we can support
implement the full capabilities of 5G, a long time, we have developed a solution you in your journey to a cloud native
as defined by 3GPP, the new 5GC SA that we call dual-mode 5G Core. This 5GC in more depth, we recommend
is a prerequisite. Going forward this brings together EPC and 5GC network these documents in the guide series:
will only be more accentuated, as 5GC functions into a common cloud native • Building a new world5
will be the platform for innovation and software platform for efficient TCO and • One core – the best of two worlds6
standardization going forward. Very smooth migration to 5G. It also means • Dual-mode 5G Core: TCO benefits7
limited efforts will be directed towards that we have designed and redesigned
the EPC. all network functions to cloud native and
The new 5GC represents a paradigm based on microservices.
shift. A new SBA is introduced, which is The main driver behind this has been to
designed for cloud native implementation, support our customers with both a flexible
and represents new opportunities and cost-efficient journey towards the
and challenges. 5GC, independent of starting point and
local market conditions.

Figure 3: Inside Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core portfolio

5GC Network Function EPC Network Function Security Function SGi-LAN Function

Cloud Core Data-Storage Manager

UDR
UDSF
DATA LAYER

Cloud Core Cloud Core Cloud Core Cloud Core

Resource Controller Subscription Manager Policy Controller Exposure Server
NSSF NRF F UDM AUSF PCF NEF
EPC NSSF HSS 5G-EIR PCRF SCEF
SBA architecture
Signaling
Packet Core Controller
Controller
AMF SMF SEPP BSF
MME SGW-C PGW-C DRA* SCP
CONTROL PLANE

Packet Core Gateway

NR SA
LTE/NR NSA
LTE UPF SGW-U PGW-U NAT DPI and optimization Firewall
GSM/WCDMA
USER PLANE

* DA and DEA functions also supported

5
https://foryou.ericsson.com/core-evolution-to-5g.html
6
https://foryou.ericsson.com/one-core-the-best-of-two-worlds.html
7
https://foryou.ericsson.com/tco-for-dual-mode-cloud-core-5g.html
6 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

5G voice

All service providers deploying 5G networks must consider how to

deploy mobile voice services in their networks. 5G advances will
bring new business opportunities when it comes to new real-time
communication services.
Voice is one of our most powerful (IMS) handles all telephony services in a
communication tools and so making 5G network, as in a 4G VoLTE-enabled To learn more about 5G voice and
voice calls available in 5G networks is network. Therefore, VoLTE is a our role in supporting CSPs, we
a fundamental service. Today, CSPs fundamental building block and starting recommend the “5G voice network
can already build on their existing point in the 5G voice network evolution. evolution”8 guide in the series.
mobile voice service in 4G – voice over There are several evolutions happening
LTE (VoLTE) – and add new valuable simultaneously in the telecoms industry,
voice and communication services for all of which affect how mobile voice
consumers, small businesses, industries services are enabled and enhanced in a
and enterprises. With 5G, there are new mobile network. These are end-user voice
opportunities to develop even more service evolution, RAN evolution and cloud
advanced voice and communication infrastructure evolution.
services, including interactive calling, Our complete voice portfolio, which
combinations with AR and VR, and other includes core and radio network
future real-time communication services. functionality, supports CSPs as they
All CSPs that are deploying 5G introduce 5G voice. The main component
networks must consider how to deploy is the IMS, required for VoLTE in 4G
mobile voice services. The introduction networks today, and for supporting
of 5G voice will happen in different efficient 5G voice deployment. A CSP’s 5G
technology evolution phases, depending voice journey can begin today with our
on the speed at which nationwide 5G cloud automated IMS, before evolving to
coverage is being built out and device our cloud native IMS with improved TCO
capabilities. The IP Multimedia Subsystem and fast time to market.

Figure 4: Industry evolutions affecting how mobile voice services are evolved and deployed in mobile networks

Packet switched 5G voice and new use cases

End-user voice Packet switched 4G voice (VoLTE) and new use cases
service evolution
Circuit switched voice

5G

RAN evolution 4G

2G and 3G

Cloud native network infrastructure

Cloud
infrastructure Virtual network functions
evolution
Physical network functions

8
https://foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-5g-voice.html
7 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Automation and
orchestration

5G enables a range of new applications and higher-value

revenue opportunities. But how can these be captured to
make the most out of a 5G network?

Capturing high-value revenues will require The new business landscape will
that a CSP’s network meets customer challenge how CSPs have traditionally For further depth, we recommend
expectations on short time to market for been organized and operated. Traditional the “Network automation: the
new services, and provide the ability to “silos” will have to be replaced with a journey to zero-touch networks”9
compose real-time and seamless services. more horizontal service-based approach, and the “Ericsson Dynamic
Here, automation and orchestration play where cross-___domain end-to-end (E2E) Orchestration solution brief”10
a key role in reducing time and removing orchestration will become a business need. guides in this series.
manual intervention, as well as ensuring We offer a full suite of solutions and
the service performance. services to support this – we define the
Our cloud native dual-mode 5G Core steps of the automation and orchestration
is designed for automation and supports evolution journey and what the necessary
CI/CD, where software will be released capabilities are. Wherever you are in your
more frequently in an order of magnitude. automation and orchestration evolution
Managing the more frequent software journey today, we can guide you through
releases with increased levels of the implementation – Ericsson Dynamic
automation is a prerequisite, as current Orchestration allows CSPs to build for
procedures for testing and verification today while planning for future needs.
would become unmanageable.

Figure 5: Ericsson Dynamic Orchestration automation flow

Composite Orchestrator

Order automation

Service Assurance

Service creation Service and Resource Orchestration Service Assurance and Analytics

Continuous Deployment and Delivery (CI/CD)

Design time Run time

Design Deploy Operate

End-to-end, cross-___domain automation

Domains Core network Transport RAN Edge SD-WAN Others

9
https://foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-network-automation.html
10
https://foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-dynamic-orchestration.html
8 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Transforming operations
and management

The deployment of 5GC will introduce cloud native technology

to the core of the mobile networks, requiring transformation to
meet new operational and management challenges.

The deployment of 5GC marks the first 5G networks will also require a faster
time the cloud native technology will be software LCM to allow for deploying new
introduced into the core of the mobile and updated software and products on
networks, which will bring benefits such demand. For this, the adoption of DevOps
as software decomposition and improved principles such as CI/CD is a must and will
life cycle, higher agnosticity between involve significant changes in tools, culture
applications and underlying infrastructure, and ways of working.
higher levels of application resilience Finally, this new network will need to
and increased degrees of automation coexist with the legacy one for many years,
and orchestration. However, its adoption requiring CSPs to find the sweet spot to
will impose new challenges on CSPs in leverage the best of both worlds with high
the area of network orchestration and levels of operational efficiency. Some of
management, requiring an operational the operational challenges CSPs will need
transformation of a nature not seen before. to deal with are:
Beyond the cloud native adoption, • leveraging the already-started
the new 5GC SBA architecture based on virtualization journey (if this is the case)
IT principles is also something that has • cloudifying the core architecture
not yet been incorporated in previous • managing the coexistence of the new
generations of mobile core networks, and architecture and legacy systems with
will impose new challenges to CSPs. high levels of operational efficiency
The virtualization of the infrastructure • implementing and managing a partner
journey that many CSPs started some ecosystem for business innovation
years ago will now continue to evolve to • adopting DevOps principles for efficient
a truly multi-___domain cloud infrastructure software delivery
that will require a new operational model • implementing network slicing and edge
and procedures. computing capabilities in the network
• automating the network

We are ready to guide and partner with CSPs on the journey

9 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Figure 6: Guiding principles to operational process transformation

Automation
Provides maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Enables self-healing and proactive
improvements for assurance. Requires assessment of effort, impact, cost, risks and time savings.

Policy Analytics
Provides a framework of Provides near-real-time data
Performance
rules which are used for Design for automation and insights.
management
automation. Helps in Helps improve customer
closed-loop operations and experience and provides
serves as a platform for AI deep-dive E2E analysis.
and ML capabilities. Requires Requires computer science,
a dedicated cross-functional networks and business skills
team of experts. Provisioning to collect, store and
Assurance process data.
and activation

Change release
management

The need for operational transformation Transforming for efficiency In summary, CSPs need to look at
Our experience of working with leading A good transformation strategy supported revamping modern solutions to address
CSPs has found that they often continue by the C-level, that aligns business and the operational challenges while also
with their existing approach to operations technology needs with the organization’s scoping an architecture with legacy
when they move to a cloud environment, current maturity level, is imperative to and virtualized components at the core.
meaning critical pain points are carried address the opportunities and challenges This means investing in technology that
into this new environment. Manual, of cloud native adoption. This strategy can move them closer to a zero-touch
time-consuming and inconsistent should tackle: network, for quick creation and delivery of
processes, as well as a lack of seamlessly 1. Processes: managing, automating and innovative services that also leverage edge
integrated operating models, increase the orchestrating the hybrid core network computing and network slicing.
complexity of managing the network. in a cost-efficient way will require a
Without the necessary changes to the suite of new E2E operational processes
operating model, the evolution to 5GC that move away from siloed stacks to To read more about our experiences
will only increase the overall cost and a service-oriented approach. When and learn how we can support
complexity of managing the network along it comes to process transformation in with operational transformation,
with an increase in time to market for new particular, this should be enabled by we recommend the “Transforming
services, going in the opposite direction of three guiding priciples – policy, analytics operations on the way to 5G”11 guide
what is expected with 5G. and automation (see Figure 6). in the series.
2. Organization: CSPs need to transform to
a cross-___domain model. This will require
new competences and skills to be
developed and organizational borders
to be reviewed to match the needs of the
new processes.
3. Technology: some key capabilities need
to be embraced to achieve the high
operational efficiency expected from 5G
networks, such as:
• multi-___domain orchestration
and network slicing
• automation of testing and LCM
of VNFs and CNFs with CI/CD
• machine learning and
artificial intelligence
• common network management
solutions for the hybrid network
• closed-loop automation

11
https://foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-operations-and-management.html
10 Ericsson  |  Your guide to building a cloud native 5G Core

Security

5G’s new deployment scenarios and use cases create new business
opportunities for CSPs but can also increase the threat surface and
risks. Therefore, a new approach to security is required.

The need for operational transformation CSPs today have varying maturity in their
The need to securely protect the business security operations, and many have static To learn more about the need
models that will emerge as 5G and manual processes in their telco network to build secure and trustworthy
IoT gather momentum presents both security operations. We have defined a networks and services, we
challenges and opportunities for CSPs. three-step approach to reach a high level recommend reading the “Mastering
We believe this is actually an of intelligent security management. complete 5G network security”12
opportunity to convert security from a cost Security automation plays a critical role paper – part of the full guide series.
center into a revenue center. But, let us in network deployments and operations by
start at the beginning. ensuring continuous security compliance,
Building secure and trustworthy threat detection and efficient response.
networks and services depends on the Security automation offers the capability
following layers, which are all to scale up security management across
equally essential: the entire network easily, stay on top of
• mobile network standardization the security status and swiftly react to
• implementation of secure products new security risks. It will enable CSPs to
• deployment constantly stay protected by adapting their
• operation of the network security posture to the evolving security
risk landscape. This also opens various
As indicated above, security in a 5G system business opportunities in security.
implies much more than specific products To help CSPs, we have been working
inserted at different places – it requires the for many years to develop a management
capability to overlook and mange security solution for the entire telecom network
across the entire network architecture. across all layers and network domains
A vast number of multi-vendor solutions including multi-vendor products. As part of
should also be considered. Due to the dual-mode 5G Core, we recently launched
dynamicity anticipated in 5G, threat a user plane embedded firewall to both
detection and mitigation must be done simplify the architecture and maintain 5G
very quickly. latency as well as decrease TCO.

Figure 7: Four areas for building trust in mobile networks

Adaptive and automated for Operator

Security operations and management Security management
a dynamic environment responsibility

Operator/vendor
Security deployment End‑to‑end architecture Security products and functions
responsibility

Vendor
Secure products Privacy and security built‑in by design Secure product development
responsibility

Secure approach A security philosophy for the new 5G context 3GPP security as the foundation Standardization

12
https://foryou.ericsson.com/5g-core-guide-network-security.html
11 Ericsson 
Ericsson 
|  A guide
|  Your
to building
guide to abuilding
cloud native
a cloud
5Gnative
Core network
5G Core

Summary

The complexities of your 5G project cannot

and should not be underestimated. The
introduction of new technology plays an
important role, but equally – if not more –
important to consider are the new ways of
working, skill sets and processes needed
to capture the new opportunities in the
evolving 5G business landscape.
In this guide series to building a cloud
native 5GC, we have tried to cover some
of the most important areas of your 5G
project in depth. However, the real driver
behind all of this is the opportunity to
grow businesses and find ways of
positioning networks and their new
capabilities at the center of future
value creation and innovation.
We hope you find this series useful as
input for your journey. Please reach out
to your local Ericsson contact for further
information or support.
 Ericsson enables communications service providers
to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s
portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed
Services, and Emerging Business and is designed to
help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and
find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s investments in
innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony
and mobile broadband to billions of people around
the world. The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq
Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York.

www.ericsson.com

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