1. Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function User Guide
  2. Introduction

1 Introduction

The Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function (OCNWDAF) is a Network Function (NF) that assists in collecting and analyzing data in a 5G network. This document provides information about the role of Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function (OCNWDAF) in 5G Network Architecture and OCNWDAF services and managed objects.

1.1 Overview

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

About Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function

The OCNWDAF 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 of data are 5G NFs, Application Functions (AFs), and Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) and the data producers are NFs. The OCNWDAF supports the following functions:

  • OCNWDAF collects data from Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Network Repository Function (NRF) in the network. The data is collected directly from the NFs or through the Network Exposure Function (OCNEF).
  • The OCNWDAF is designed to provide analytics information to consumer such as NFs, AFs and OAM.

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

The analytics information provided by the OCNWDAF is either statistical information based on past events or predictive information. This analytics information is used to balance the resources on the network. The OCNWDAF can predict the User Equipment (UE) location and also detect if the UE is in an abnormal location. 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 ensures significantly fewer chances of network experiencing downtime.

An 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 (for example, a threshold is breached) is detected.

The NRF discovers the OCNWDAF instances for the NF consumers in the network. The OCNWDAF information can also be locally configured on the NF consumers. The OCNWDAF selection function in the consumer NF selects an OCNWDAF instance among available OCNWDAF instances. 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 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 Solution Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Installation Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Troubleshooting Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Disaster Recovery Guide
  • 3GPP Technical Specification 29.520, 5G System Network Data Analytics Services
  • 3GPP Technical Specification 23.288, Architecture enhancements for 5G System (5GS) to support Network Data Analytics Services
  • 3GPP Technical Specification 29.508, 5G System Session Management Event Exposure Services
  • 3GPP Technical Specification 29.510, 5G System Network Function Repository Services
  • 3GPP Technical Specification 29.518, 5G System Access and Mobility Management Services