1 Introduction
This document provides information about the role of Oracle Communications Network Repository Function (OCNRF) in 5G Service Based Architecture and how to configure and use OCNRF.
OCNRF is a key component of the 5G Service Based Architecture. OCNRF maintains an updated repository of all the Network Functions (NFs) available in the operator's network along with the services provided by each of the NFs in the 5G core that are expected to be instantiated, scaled and terminated with minimal to no manual intervention. In addition to serving as a repository of the services, OCNRF also supports discovery mechanisms that allows NFs to discover each other and get updated status of the desired NFs.
OCNRF supports the following functions:
- Maintains the profiles of the available NF instances and their supported services in the 5G core network.
- Allows consumer NF instances to discover other providers NF instances in the 5G core network.
- Allows NF instances to track the status of other NF instances.
- Provides Oauth2 based Access Token service for consumer NF authorization.
- Provides specific NF Type selection based on subscriber identity.
- Supports forwarding of messages from one NRF to another NRF.
- Supports geo-redundancy to ensure service availability.
The OCNRF interacts with every other NF in the 5G core network and it supports the above functions through the following services:
- Management Services
- Discovery Services
- AccessToken Service
Acronyms
The following table provides information about the acronyms and the terminology used in the document.
Table 1-1 Acronyms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 3GPP | 3rd Generation Partnership Project |
| 5G-AN | 5G Access Network |
| 5GC | 5G Core Network |
| 5G System | 3GPP system consisting of 5G Access Network (AN), 5G Core Network and UE |
| AMF | Access and Mobility Management Function |
| API Gateway | Application that sits in front of an application programming interface (API) and acts as a single point of entry for a defined group of micro services. |
| CNE | Cloud Native Environment |
| Dimension | Dimension is a tag of Metric. For Example,
"ocnrf_nfRegister_rx_requests_total {{ OriginatorNfType }}
{{NrfLevel }} {{NfInstanceId }}"
In the example above, OriginatorNfType, NrfLevel, and NfInstanceId are dimensions. |
| DNS | Domain Name System |
| FQDN | Fully Qualified Domain Name |
| KBs | Kubernetes |
| KPI | Key Performance Indicator |
| MMI | Machine Machine Interface |
| MPS | Messages Per Second |
| NDB | Network Database |
| NF | Network Function |
| Network Function | A functional building block within a network infrastructure, which has well defined external interfaces and well defined functional behavior. In practical terms, a network function is often a network node or physical appliance. |
| Network Slice | A logical network that provides specific network capabilities and network characteristics. |
| Network Slice instance | A set of Network Function instances and the required resources (For Example, compute, storage and networking resources) which form a deployed Network Slice. |
| NF Consumer | A generic way to refer to an NF which consumes services provided by another NF. For Example: An AMF is referred to as a Consumer when it consumes AMPolicy services provided by the PCF. |
| NF Instance | A specific instance of a network function type. |
| NF Producer or NF Provider | A generic way to refer to an NF which provides services that can be consumed by another NF. For Example: A PCF is a provider NF and provides AMPolicy Services |
| NRF | Network Repository Function or Network Function Repository Function |
| PCF | Policy Control Function |
| PLMN | Public Land Mobile Network |
| Resiliency | The ability of the NFV framework to limit disruption and return to normal or at a minimum acceptable service delivery level in the fame of a fault, failure, or an event that disrupts normal operation. |
| Scaling | Ability to dynamically extend/reduce resources granted to the Virtual Network Function (VNF) as needed. This includes scaling out/in or scaling up/down. |
| Scaling Out/In/ Horizontally | The ability to scale by add/remove resource instances (For Example, VMs). Also called scaling Horizontally. |
| Scaling Up/Down/ Vertically | The ability to scale by changing allocated resources, for example increase/decrease memory, CPU capacity or storage size. |
| SCP | Service Communication Proxy |
| SEPP | Security Edge Protection Proxy |
| SLF | Subscriber Location Function |
| SMF | Session Management Function |
| URI | Uniform Resource Identifier |