1. Cloud Native Core Networks Data Analytics Function Installation Guide
  2. Introduction

1 Introduction

This document provides information on how to install Oracle Communications Network Data Analytics Function (OCNWDAF) and its microservices.

1.1 Overview

Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function (OCNWDAF) is a Network Function (NF) in the 5G core network.

OCNWDAF is a NF that assists in collecting and analyzing data in a 5G network. It enables the operator to collect and analyze the data in the network through an analytics function. The 5G technology requires prescriptive analytics to drive closed-loop automation and self-healing networks. In a 5G network, the consumers and producers of data are 5G Network Functions (NFs), Application Functions (AFs), and Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM).

OCNWDAF broadly supports the following functions:

  • OCNWDAF collects data from AMF, SMF, and NRF in the network. The data is collected directly from the NFs or through the Network Exposure Function (OCNEF).
  • OCNWDAF is designed to provide analytics information to consumer NFs.

A 5G network contains a vast number of devices and sensors generating an enormous amount of data. OCNWDAF allows the Communications Service providers (CSPs) to efficiently monitor, manage, automate, and optimize their network operations after analyzing the data collected across the network. OCNWDAF also helps the CSPs in achieving operational efficiency and provides an enhanced service experience.

The analytics information provided by OCNWDAF is either statistical information on past events or predictive information which can be used to balance the resources on the network. Based on the collected analytics information, the CSPs can roll out new services or modify the existing services without waiting for a maintenance window in the network. This also ensures significantly fewer chances of network experiencing downtime.

A OCNWDAF consumer can avail analytics information for different analytic events. Alternatively, the consumers can subscribe or unsubscribe for specific analytics information as a one-time event or periodically get notified when a specifically defined event is detected.

Multiple instances of OCNWDAF may be deployed in the 5G network. NRF discovers OCNWDAF instances for the consumer network functions. The OCNWDAF information can also be locally configured on the consumer NFs. The OCNWDAF selection function in the consumer NF selects an OCNWDAF instance based on the available OCNWDAF instances by using the OCNWDAF discovery principles.

Different OCNWDAF instances present in the 5G network can be configured to provide a specific type of analytics information. This information about the OCNWDAF instance is described in the OCNWDAF profile stored in the NRF. The OCNWDAF instance provides the list of Analytics IDs that it supports when registering to the NRF, apart from other NRF registration elements required for registration on the NRF. The consumer NFs that need specific analytics types query the NRF and include the Analytics ID based on the required data.

1.2 References

For more information about OCNWDAF, refer to the following documents:
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Solutions Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Troubleshooting Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Disaster Recovery Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Environment Installation Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core DBTier Installation and Upgrade Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core DBTier User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core DBTier Disaster Recovery Guide