Network Slicing in 5G Networks

Abstract— In today’s the era of IoTs, large companies are producing both big and small new hand-held machines at an incredible rate. These new technologies offer great opportunities when connected to the internet, however, they bring many challenges with them. Take for example the latest mobile phones; most of them are powered by Fifth generation (5G) technology and use IoT connectivity. In the nearest future, network slicing will soon be one of tools that will be critical in enabling transport for 5G services with the high-quality capabilities and operate the support for large numbers of mobile end nodes.

Keywords – Network Slicing, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT).

I.     Introduction

This report discusses the background review of network slicing in 5G network which includes the use of the Innovative Digital Systems or Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in the network.  There is continuous change in the technology; which is also affecting competition for companies to provide better services for the customers as well. In this segment, 5G is also one of the unique updating elements followed by 4G technology. The reason for this is that both 5G and 4G perform well in the marketplace and are preferred by the users; both individual users and large corporations because these technologies provide better connectivity tools for Internet access [13]. However, there are challenges faced by users using 5G technology. To state the obvious; 5G technologies are expensive to maintain to acquire and to operate. These technologies require a lot of operating power. Energy consumption is one of the major issues in 5G technologies; and this can lead to high energy bills. Energy generation is an environmental issue at the moment, as energy consumption is directly linked to the number of users and data used on communications in networks [11]. Mills (2013) CEO of digital Power Group stated “more than 10% global energy consumption is consumed in ICT sectors” [3]. The use of a 5G network, causes issues with the IoT in completing the demand of low network latency and high data rate. In the same concern, this report defines the possible solutions such as network slicing in 5G networks for the effective use of a 5G network.      

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II.    Background

Fifth generation (5G) mobile network is the new recommended or upcoming technology network for use for better access of the internet of things (IoT).  The main purpose of implementing the 5G networks is to enhance the user-ability of the internet to operate its increased speed of the internet as fast as 10 Gbps which is currently not possible to operate on most 4G and 3G technology networks. Moreover, in the 5G network technology, the network slicing is one of the unique solutions as it allows to increase the internet speed [9]. Therefore, the network of 5G is considered as a future requirement of the Internet of Things (IoT) services; as this will be able to connect with the multi various and numerous devices regardless of the make of the model. Hence, the need for mobile operators and vendors to acquire the better services of the 5G network technologies. However, network slicing is one of many attractions in this new model. Network slicing is considered as a form of the virtualization that is helpful to allow the different logical network in order to run on the front of all shared infrastructure networks [8]. This is because networking slicing is better in providing the end-to-end virtual network and is also provides essential capabilities for computes of all network functions for data storage. Network slicing is expected to operate in 5G networks, and this network slicing will enable B2B (Business to Business) processes in eCommerce and also open different business opportunities related to the lucrative network to all operators of mobile and the other entrants. There are different examples of this but at the same time; the biggest example is that the new mobile operator will be able to split their physical network into the all-multiple slices [4]. In using the 5G network, provides better connectivity of the all sensor related to the smart grids such as meters, controllers, sensors and many more. Because of this, it can be determined that there is a huge demand for the 5G network for the firms and all mobile operators.

Figure 1: source ITU news

III.   Technology

Software-Defined Networking and Network Functions Virtualization are the two major types of network slicing that are used on the basis of modern network and  implement ICN slicing (Information Centric Networking) simultaneous with IP which is used by the firm as well as all firm related to the mobile in software-based automation [2].  ICN with inherent support for features like security, mobility, name-based networking, in-network storage, edge computing in 5G [14].  It can be determined that there is permission for the SDN and NFV for the network flexibility into the virtual elements. Meanwhile, it can also be determined that in the use of some common sources like processors and storage, the permission is provided by the network slicing for the creation of the slices that are devoted to the self-contained, logical and division Virtual network functions (VNFs). Network slices are chains of VNFs and logical or physical resources meeting the service providers requirements. Therefore, the understanding of Network Slicing in 5G is the deployment and orchestration of VNFs [15].

The network slicing is the connection of the mobile and wireless devices, IoT, connected cars, manufacturing, and physical infrastructures. From the research of Campolo et al., (2017), it is illustrated that the network slicing is one of the major benefits of the 5G networks that is preferable for the better and optimum allocation of the recourses as well as increasing the energy and cost efficiencies.  In the 5G networks, there are different and multiple accesses of radio networks. In this, it can be defined as a single Radio Access Network (RAN) that can be connected to different services or slices. However, each service consists of the backbone, network resources and radio access to meet each user cases. A single physical network is sliced into virtual networks as shown in Figure 2. Each virtual network is independent of each other and provides unique services without any interferences between each slice. The better efficiency of the 5G network creates various characteristics such as spectrum efficiency, traffic capacity, and density [7].

Figure 2: Physical Infrastructure [7]

There are different schemes that can also be used in 5G technologies. These are; interworking schemes, distributed control schemes, priority control schemes, heterogeneous network scheme, etc. These functionalities are used in the 5G technology to help firms or individual users to perform better and to handle all issues that are occurred in the successful implementation of the 5G technology. In the same concern; it can also be determined that the use of these policies can also help the firm in matters related to the invention of the technology in 5G to provide the better and effective services for the customers and to minimize the risk in the services [10]. Although, the use of these policies is better for the firm and all mobile operator’s services at the same time; different issues are also faced and affect the better implementation of the 5G technology.  One of the major challenges that is faced in the successful implementation of the 5G technology and to follow all policies is the management and the network configuration. This is because so many different countries are working on the different networks related to the 5G model hence; the rules and the regulations are also different; and this makes it hard for the firms to follow all rules at the same time as well as deal with network slicing. It is also important for the mobile firms to manage the issues and to support the ICT transformation. In same manner, the use of 5G technology is also better for the firm and the business purpose also.     

As per the 5GAmericas, one of the major functions and benefits of using the 5G network is that; there is an advantage for the customers to choose the particular functions that are necessary for the customers and particular market segments. At the same time, deploy 5G system are a more quickly deployed system and it can be beneficial for the market and the customers also [6]. Although network slicing of 5G is better for the firm and its customers to get the better use of IoT things and to handle all work also but at the same time; it can be determined that it is needed for the firm related to the designing the 5G structure that the bandwidth and the approach of the network should be better. Network slicing can also be determined that it is needed for the firms to establish the connections between the mobile broadband, B2B (Business to Business) ecommerce; marketing and internet buying; communication, entertainment, machine to machine, retail shopping, reliable latency and other fields such as the medical infrastructure [12]. It would be better for larger organisations, companies or businesses (firms) to use the 5G technology. In developing technology, 5G network can play a significant role in the coming future by bringing improvement in the radio frequencies much higher than existing network frequencies of 4G. The 5G network can be the next generation for effective connectivity of mobile network by offering the faster speed and more reliable connection facility to the users on their smartphones [7]. While studying, it is identified that the 5G network directionality is important but could be uniquely help in managing the wastage of power and energy and might also strengthen the access to the internet respectively. In addition, 5G network can also provide other advantages in the form of extreme speed, effective battery life, and better connection in comparison to 4G. According to Naveen and Vasanth (2017), 5G could be an innovative way through which an organisation business processes might change into fastest in order to attain competitive advantage. The use of 5G technology promises that it would help in connecting more devices efficiently.       

From the overall analysis, it can be concluded that the implementation of the 5G network is better for the firm to manage the business and for the mobile operators; it will also be effective to increase the sales of the firm. Apart from this, it can also be concluded that 5G Network Slicing is a must for the better using of the 5G structure to perform well. It can also be stated that there are some issues that can be faced by the firms in the use of 5G technologies but 5G Network Slicing will be better for the firms and the network operators.

References

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