Okwuibe, Liyanage, Ahmad, and Ylianttila
380
● Cloud Computing in 5G Core Network: The majority of 5G service plane
and core network functions are anticipated to be deployed on cloud computing
infrastructures. Cloud computing will be leveraged to handle various core network
and service plane functions that are typical on cellular networks. These include
multi‐domain orchestration, service invocation, end‐to‐end (E2E) network slicing,
and other service‐tailored networks functions [16]. Traditional core network
functions such as Authentication, Authorizations, and Accounting (AAA), security, traffic control and mobility management are also expected to be provisioned
by cloud services.
● Cloud Computing in 5G RAN: The 5G framework proposes a novel radio access infrastructure based on cloud architecture technologies, using a scheme called Cloud
RAN (C‐RAN). Apparently, 5G mobile network will integrate existing RANs with
novel access technologies in order to meet its performance and capacity demands;
this combination will form the overall 5G RAT family. C‐RAN is a novel access
technology designed to extend Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) capabilities
to the radio interface of future cellular networks. The overall idea of C‐RAN is to
promote spectral efficiency and multilayer interworking to support different use
cases and technologies in 5G networks. C‐RAN combines real‐time virtualization
and centralized baseband unit (BBU) pools to achieve large‐scale centralized base
station deployment on cellular networks [17].
16.2.6 Use Cases/Scenarios of Cloud Computing in 5G
Experts have defined and are already experimenting with numerous use cases of 5G
networks. These use cases come from all major industries across the world, including
manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, TV and media, transportation, as well as other infrastructures. Although different use cases may tend to have
different characteristics; however, for ease of understanding and clarity, METIS
2
and
other groups like the 5G‐PPP Architecture Working Group recognize a first‐level
grouping of 5G use cases into three main categories, namely Extreme Mobile Broadband
(xMBB), Massive Machine‐type Communications (mMTC), and Ultra‐reliable Machine‐
type Communications [16,18]. Although this grouping provides a more or less generic
view of all anticipated use cases in 5G networks, it is typical for several use cases
to require similar network characteristics; hence, virtually all use cases will fall under
one of these categories. Here we discuss each of these categories in the context of
cloud computing:
● Extreme Mobile Broadband (xMBB): This group of use cases requires reliable
provisioning of gigabytes on‐demand bandwidth to support extreme business
agility and guaranteed moderate rates to support less demanding applications on
5G networks. Typical use cases under this group are Virtual Interactive Presence
and Augmented Reality (VIPAR) used in telemedicine, augmented reality, and tele‐
presence. The key enablers to this group of use cases are C‐RAN and Mobile
Cloud Computing (MCC). By ensuring unified dynamic operations on the radio
2 Mobile and wireless communications enablers for Twenty-twenty (2020) Information Society.
380
● Cloud Computing in 5G Core Network: The majority of 5G service plane
and core network functions are anticipated to be deployed on cloud computing
infrastructures. Cloud computing will be leveraged to handle various core network
and service plane functions that are typical on cellular networks. These include
multi‐domain orchestration, service invocation, end‐to‐end (E2E) network slicing,
and other service‐tailored networks functions [16]. Traditional core network
functions such as Authentication, Authorizations, and Accounting (AAA), security, traffic control and mobility management are also expected to be provisioned
by cloud services.
● Cloud Computing in 5G RAN: The 5G framework proposes a novel radio access infrastructure based on cloud architecture technologies, using a scheme called Cloud
RAN (C‐RAN). Apparently, 5G mobile network will integrate existing RANs with
novel access technologies in order to meet its performance and capacity demands;
this combination will form the overall 5G RAT family. C‐RAN is a novel access
technology designed to extend Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) capabilities
to the radio interface of future cellular networks. The overall idea of C‐RAN is to
promote spectral efficiency and multilayer interworking to support different use
cases and technologies in 5G networks. C‐RAN combines real‐time virtualization
and centralized baseband unit (BBU) pools to achieve large‐scale centralized base
station deployment on cellular networks [17].
16.2.6 Use Cases/Scenarios of Cloud Computing in 5G
Experts have defined and are already experimenting with numerous use cases of 5G
networks. These use cases come from all major industries across the world, including
manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, TV and media, transportation, as well as other infrastructures. Although different use cases may tend to have
different characteristics; however, for ease of understanding and clarity, METIS
2
and
other groups like the 5G‐PPP Architecture Working Group recognize a first‐level
grouping of 5G use cases into three main categories, namely Extreme Mobile Broadband
(xMBB), Massive Machine‐type Communications (mMTC), and Ultra‐reliable Machine‐
type Communications [16,18]. Although this grouping provides a more or less generic
view of all anticipated use cases in 5G networks, it is typical for several use cases
to require similar network characteristics; hence, virtually all use cases will fall under
one of these categories. Here we discuss each of these categories in the context of
cloud computing:
● Extreme Mobile Broadband (xMBB): This group of use cases requires reliable
provisioning of gigabytes on‐demand bandwidth to support extreme business
agility and guaranteed moderate rates to support less demanding applications on
5G networks. Typical use cases under this group are Virtual Interactive Presence
and Augmented Reality (VIPAR) used in telemedicine, augmented reality, and tele‐
presence. The key enablers to this group of use cases are C‐RAN and Mobile
Cloud Computing (MCC). By ensuring unified dynamic operations on the radio
2 Mobile and wireless communications enablers for Twenty-twenty (2020) Information Society.