1 Introduction

This document provides information on how to install or upgrade Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Network Repository Function (NRF) in a cloud native environment (CNE), and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

Note:

  • This guide covers the installation instructions when Podman is the container platform with Helm as the Packaging Manager. For any other container platform, the operator must use the commands based on their deployed container runtime environment.
  • kubectl commands can vary based on the platform deployment. Replace kubectl with Kubernetes environment-specific command line tool to configure Kubernetes resources through kube-api server. The instructions provided in this document are as per the CNE version of kube-api server.

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1.1 Overview

NRF is a key component of the 5G Service Based Architecture (SBA). NRF maintains an updated repository of all the Network Functions (NFs) available in the operator's network along with the services provided by each NFs in the 5G core. NRF instantiates, scales, and terminates the services with minimal or no manual intervention.

Note:

The performance and capacity of the NRF system may vary based on the call model, Feature or Interface configuration, and underlying CNE and hardware environment.

NRF supports discovery mechanisms that allow NFs to discover each other and get the updated status of the desired NFs.

NRF 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 message forwarding from one NRF to another NRF
  • Supports georedundancy to ensure service availability
  • Handles the SLF operations while performing the SLF selection using registered profiles
  • Support alternate routing service to ensure Domain Name System (DNS) service

NRF interacts with all Network Functions in the 5G core network. It supports the above functions through the following services:

  • Management Services
  • Discovery Services
  • AccessToken Service

For more information about the services, see Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Network Repository Function User Guide.

NRF can be deployed using Continuous Delivery Control Server (CDCS) or Command Line Interface (CLI) procedures as described in Installing NRF. CDCS provides continuous delivery functionality for multisite Cloud Native Core (CNC) installations. For more information about CDCS, see Oracle Communications CD Control Server User Guide.

1.2 References

Refer to the following documents while deploying NRF:

  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Cloud Native Environment Installation, Upgrade, and Fault Recovery Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Operations Services Overlay Installation and Upgrade Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, cnDBTier Installation and Upgrade Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, cnDBTier User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Network Repository Function User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Network Repository Function REST Specification Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Network Repository Function Troubleshooting Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Configuration Console User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Automated Testing Suite Guide
  • Oracle Communication Cloud Native Core, Data Collector User Guide
  • Oracle Communications CD Control Server User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core OCI Adaptor, NF Deployment in OCI Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Reference Architecture for CNC deployment in OCI

1.3 Oracle Error Correction Policy

The table below outlines the key details for the current and past releases, their General Available (GA) dates, the latest patch versions, and the end dates for the Error Correction Grace Period.

Table 1-1 Premier Support Details

Release Number General Availability (GA) Date Latest Patch Version Error Correction Grace Period End Date
3.24.2 July 2024 24.2.0 July 2025
3.24.1 April 2024 24.1.1 April 2025
3.23.4 December 2023 23.4.3 December 2024
2.23.3 September 2023 23.3.2 September 2024

Note:

For a release, Sev1 and Critical Patch Update (CPU) patches are supported for 12 months. For more information, see Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core and Network Analytics Error Correction Policy.

1.4 Oracle Open Source Support Policies

Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core uses open source technology governed by the Oracle Open Source Support Policies. For more information, see Oracle Open Source Support Policies.