Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Virtualization of a 4G Evolved Packet Core Network Using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology with NS3 for Enterprise and Educational Purpose

Received: 2 February 2024     Accepted: 22 February 2024     Published: 7 March 2024
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Abstract

The current networks of many operators dispose an increasing variety of purpose built, vertically integrated, and vendor-locked hardware equipment. This makes it difficult to easily scale their radio access and core networks as it requires yet another variety of equipment, leading to increased Time-to-Market and inefficient resource utilization. Furthermore, network equipment are expensive to procure and upgrade (increased CAPEX), and are difficult to adapt and program for new services (increased OPEX). These trends have recently spurred several efforts to redesign various components of mobile networks, notably the 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC). With regards to this, the present work proposes a solution based on Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which can be deployed for educational or enterprises purpose like in Data Centers, or network nodes with a fine-grained QoS, while maintaining the scalability of the virtualized network function entities, and optimum resource utilization. The actual work develops a mobile network simulation module centered on the 4G Core network comprising its major components; MME, SGW, and PGW (vEPC), as well as the networking amongst these entities, core network related aspects such as its interaction with the Enhanced Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and the Packet Data Network Services (Internet). This solution gives to core network engineers and EPC network agents the possibility to design, analyze and test variable types of network scenarios. The solution can be also integrated in engineering schools and college for labs’ practical work or to any e-laboratory initiative to allow students in virtual environment to analyze signaling, modify the network configuration and better understand some theoretical concepts taught during the courses. The results obtained from the present work can be of great help during the final deployment phase of the network for full production for engineers of carriers’ network or improve the engineering understanding of core network in academic domain. In this light, the network can easily be scaled, adjust virtually for the time to commercialize a service reduced for carrier or enterprises’ solutions or for testing in e-laboratories.

Published in American Journal of Networks and Communications (Volume 13, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11
Page(s) 1-18
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Virtualization, vEPC, NFV, Scalability, Network Simulation

References
[1] Ajay Simha, NFV Architect/Senior Principal Engineer, Red Hat Inc: Deploying Virtualized Mobile Infrastructures on Openstack - Open NFV Summit 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOi7HRj8Omo
[2] Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018–2023), White Paper. Avaialble from: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/mobile-white-paper-c11-520862.htm [Accessed 6 October 2022]
[3] Huawei, Cloud Edge, Avaiable from: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/solutions/cloud-enabled-digital-operations/cloudedge [Access on 22/01/2024]
[4] Cisco, Cloud Core and Packet Core Portfolio, Available from: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/virtualized-packet-core/index.html, [Access on 21/02/2024].
[5] Andreas G. Papidas, (2016), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for Mobile networks - https://mm.aueb.gr/master_theses/xylomenos/2016_Papidas.pdf
[6] Deussom Djomadji Eric Michel, et al. "WLAN simulations using Huawei eNSP for e-laboratory in engineering schools." IOSR Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering (IOSR-JECE) 15(2), (2020): 47-70. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jece/papers/Vol.%2015%20Issue%202/Series-1/H1502014770.pdf
[7] Deussom Djomadji Eric Michel, Kabiena Ivan, B.., & Chiegue Tchuimogne, H. Y.. (2022). Web based 4G Drive Tests Post Processing Software for Educational and Enterprise Purpose. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(3), 231–257. https://doi.org/10.14738/aivp.103.12348
[8] A. Jain, S. N S, S. K. Lohani and M. Vutukuru, “A Comparison of SDN and NFV for Re-designing the LTE Packet Core,” 2016.
[9] Lyeb, L. A. H., Deussom Djomadji, E. M.., & Tonye, E. (2022). A Proposal and Simulation with NS3 of a New offloading Algorithm between LTE/LTE-Advanced and Wi-Fi. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(5), 59–88. https://doi.org/10.14738/aivp.105.13060
[10] Eric Michel Deussom Djomadji, Ndje Biholong Evelyne Noelle, & Tonye Emmanuel. (2022). Artificial Bee Colonies Solution for Load Sharing in a Cloud RAN. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11935
[11] Brent Hirschman, Pranav Mehta, Kannan Babu Ramia, Ashok Sunder Rajan, Edwin Dylag, Ajaypal Singh, and Martin McDonald, “High-performance evolved packet core signaling and bearer processing on general-purpose processors,” IEEE Network, vol. 29, no. 3, 2015.
[12] A. Banerjee, R. Mahindra, K. Sundaresan, S. Kasera, K. Van der Merwe, and S. Rangarajan, “Scaling the LTE Control-Plane for Future Mobile Access,” 2015.
[13] X. An, F. Pianese, I. Widjaja, and U. Gunay Acer, “DMME: A Distributed LTE Mobility Management Entity, journal=Bell Labs Technical Journal, year=2012, volume=17, number=2”
[14] Y. Takano, A. Khan, M. Tamura, S. Iwashina, and T. Shimizu, “Virtualization-Based Scaling Methods for Stateful Cellular Network Nodes Using Elastic Core Architecture,” in Proc. IEEE International Conference on Cloud Computing Technology and Science (CloudCom), 2014.
[15] ETSI NFV ISG (2012). Network Function Virtualization; An Introduction, Benefits, Enablers, Challenges & Call for Action. Introductory White Paper. [Online]. Available: https://portal.etsi.org/NFV/NFV_White_Paper.pdf (Accessed 09/04/2019).
[16] NFV: State of the Art, Challenges and Implementation in Next Generation Mobile Networks (vEPC) by Hassan Hawilo, Abdallah Shami, Maysam Mirahmadi, and Rasool Asal. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, Canada IBM Canada Ltd British Telecom, UK 2014.
[17] J. Doherty, SDN and NFV Simplified: A Visual Guide to Understanding Software Defined Networks and Network Function Virtualization, Donnelley in Kendallville, Indiana: Addison-Wesley Professional, 2016.
[18] ETSI TS 136 101 V15.3.0 (2018-10): LTE; E-UTRA; User Equipment (UE) radio transmission and reception (3GPP TS 36.101 version 15.3.0 Release 15).
[19] V. Srinivasa Rao, Senior Architect & Rambabu Gajula, Lead Engineer “Protocol Signaling Procedures in LTE” White Paper Radisys Corporation. September 2011.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emmanuel, T., Michel, D. D. E., Agbor, E. O. B. (2024). Virtualization of a 4G Evolved Packet Core Network Using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology with NS3 for Enterprise and Educational Purpose. American Journal of Networks and Communications, 13(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11

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    ACS Style

    Emmanuel, T.; Michel, D. D. E.; Agbor, E. O. B. Virtualization of a 4G Evolved Packet Core Network Using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology with NS3 for Enterprise and Educational Purpose. Am. J. Netw. Commun. 2024, 13(1), 1-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11

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    AMA Style

    Emmanuel T, Michel DDE, Agbor EOB. Virtualization of a 4G Evolved Packet Core Network Using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology with NS3 for Enterprise and Educational Purpose. Am J Netw Commun. 2024;13(1):1-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11,
      author = {Tonye Emmanuel and Deussom Djomadji Eric Michel and Ebai Oben Brolynes Agbor},
      title = {Virtualization of a 4G Evolved Packet Core Network Using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology with NS3 for Enterprise and Educational Purpose},
      journal = {American Journal of Networks and Communications},
      volume = {13},
      number = {1},
      pages = {1-18},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnc.20241301.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajnc.20241301.11},
      abstract = {The current networks of many operators dispose an increasing variety of purpose built, vertically integrated, and vendor-locked hardware equipment. This makes it difficult to easily scale their radio access and core networks as it requires yet another variety of equipment, leading to increased Time-to-Market and inefficient resource utilization. Furthermore, network equipment are expensive to procure and upgrade (increased CAPEX), and are difficult to adapt and program for new services (increased OPEX). These trends have recently spurred several efforts to redesign various components of mobile networks, notably the 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC). With regards to this, the present work proposes a solution based on Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which can be deployed for educational or enterprises purpose like in Data Centers, or network nodes with a fine-grained QoS, while maintaining the scalability of the virtualized network function entities, and optimum resource utilization. The actual work develops a mobile network simulation module centered on the 4G Core network comprising its major components; MME, SGW, and PGW (vEPC), as well as the networking amongst these entities, core network related aspects such as its interaction with the Enhanced Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and the Packet Data Network Services (Internet). This solution gives to core network engineers and EPC network agents the possibility to design, analyze and test variable types of network scenarios. The solution can be also integrated in engineering schools and college for labs’ practical work or to any e-laboratory initiative to allow students in virtual environment to analyze signaling, modify the network configuration and better understand some theoretical concepts taught during the courses. The results obtained from the present work can be of great help during the final deployment phase of the network for full production for engineers of carriers’ network or improve the engineering understanding of core network in academic domain. In this light, the network can easily be scaled, adjust virtually for the time to commercialize a service reduced for carrier or enterprises’ solutions or for testing in e-laboratories.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - The current networks of many operators dispose an increasing variety of purpose built, vertically integrated, and vendor-locked hardware equipment. This makes it difficult to easily scale their radio access and core networks as it requires yet another variety of equipment, leading to increased Time-to-Market and inefficient resource utilization. Furthermore, network equipment are expensive to procure and upgrade (increased CAPEX), and are difficult to adapt and program for new services (increased OPEX). These trends have recently spurred several efforts to redesign various components of mobile networks, notably the 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC). With regards to this, the present work proposes a solution based on Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which can be deployed for educational or enterprises purpose like in Data Centers, or network nodes with a fine-grained QoS, while maintaining the scalability of the virtualized network function entities, and optimum resource utilization. The actual work develops a mobile network simulation module centered on the 4G Core network comprising its major components; MME, SGW, and PGW (vEPC), as well as the networking amongst these entities, core network related aspects such as its interaction with the Enhanced Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and the Packet Data Network Services (Internet). This solution gives to core network engineers and EPC network agents the possibility to design, analyze and test variable types of network scenarios. The solution can be also integrated in engineering schools and college for labs’ practical work or to any e-laboratory initiative to allow students in virtual environment to analyze signaling, modify the network configuration and better understand some theoretical concepts taught during the courses. The results obtained from the present work can be of great help during the final deployment phase of the network for full production for engineers of carriers’ network or improve the engineering understanding of core network in academic domain. In this light, the network can easily be scaled, adjust virtually for the time to commercialize a service reduced for carrier or enterprises’ solutions or for testing in e-laboratories.
    
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Author Information
  • Department of Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

  • Department of Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, College of Technology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Department of Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

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