Supervisors info:
Νικόλαος Πασσάς, ΕΔΙΠ, Τμήμα Πληροφορικής και Τηλεπικοινωνιών, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Summary:
This diploma thesis focuses on the theoretical study of indirect communication methods in the 6G Core Network using a service mesh model and presents the practical application of that model in current, open-source implementations of the Core Network.
The new 5G Core Network communication architecture has led to the transformation of the traditional mode of operation of the network entities so that their communication is accomplished in a way like that used in the field of software development and modern IT systems. With this significant change compared to previous generations, the new architecture defines communications between network entities using HTTP-based calls where each entity offers services towards other entities and consumes services that are provided by other entities through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This new horizontal architecture was named SBA (Service Based Architecture) and offers easy scalability, while ensuring the low cost of deploying and operating a mobile network. Additionally, the implementation of network functions as a set of services has led to the evolution of traditional entities - network elements into autonomous functional entities - Network Functions, which can now be installed in the cloud.
However, the SBA architecture allows for any-to-any connectivity, thus increasing the complexity to ensure efficient signaling in the Core Network. More specifically, the reliability of signaling as well as its management is more demanding now. Therefore, the implementation of unified modes of load distribution, routing and traffic priorities, as well as a unified observation framework, is considered necessary. As such, 3GPP introduced with Release 16 a new network entity, the SCP (Service Communication Proxy), which implements the basic functions of a proxy server. The introduction of SCP is the first step in the direction of using a service mesh model for communication within the Core Network and an area of intense research for the use of SCP logical functionalities as the structural part of the service mesh in 6G Core Network.
In this thesis, a comparative study of communications models is carried out, as well as a description of the technologies for the implementation of a service mesh model using the logical functionalities of the SCP. Its capabilities and advantages are also demonstrated. At the experimental level of the following work, Open5GS and the UERANSIM tool were used to develop a complete 5G test setup in a Kubernetes cluster, which was extended with Istio to create a service mesh solution. Subsequently, the results obtained from the test bench are presented, and the conclusions reached are reported.
Keywords:
5G, 6G, SCP, service mesh, 3GPP indirect communication
