3 Cloud Native Core Network Functions

The 4G/5G Network Funtions that are part of this document are following:

Table 3-1 5G Network Functions

Network Functions Abbreviation Description
Network Repository Function NRF NRF provides registration, discovery and authorization services to all the Network Functions (NF) in the 5G core network.
Service Communication Proxy SCP SCP provides a 5G-aware service mesh. The SCP is not a part of the current 3GPP 5G specification, but is expected to be added to a future iteration.
InterWorking Function IWF IWF provides 4G/5G inter-working support.
Network Slice Selection Function NSSF NSSF works with the Access and Mobility Function (AMF) to select the network slice to be used by the User Equipment (UE).
Security Edge Protection Proxy SEPP In the roaming architecture, the home and the visited network are connected through Security Protection Proxy (SEPP) for the control plane of the internetwork interconnect.
Unified Data Repository UDR/UDSF UDR is a repository of subscriber information, and is used by various NFs (including UDR, PCF, and NEF). The UDSF is a part of the Unified Data Management Function (UDF) and is used to store state information for Network Functions (NF).
Unified Data Management/Authentication Server Function UDM/AUSF UDM uses the subscription data stored in UDR and implements the application logic to perform various functionalities such as authentication credential generation, user identification, service and session continuity etc. The Authentication Server Function (AUSF) uses data stored in the UDM to perform authentication.
Network Exposure Function NEF Securely exposes network capabilities and events to Application Functions (AF).
Cloud Native Core Policy CNC Policy The CNC Policy is a functional element for policy control decision and flows based charging control functionalities.
Binding Support Function BSF Provides PCF binding (mapping and selection) for User Equipment (UE).

Table 3-2 4G Network Functions

Network Functions Abbreviation Description
Cloud Native 4G Diameter Routing Agent Network cnDRA Provides core (subset) 4G DSR capabilities delivered in a CNE microservice.