1 Introduction

This document provides information on how to install Oracle Communications Network Data Analytics Function (OCNWDAF) and its microservices. It also includes information on performing fault recovery for OCNWDAF.

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.

The OCNWDAF enables the operator to collect and analyze the data in the network. 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.
  • The OCNWDAF is designed to provide analytics information to consumer such as NFs, AFs and OAM.
  • The OCNWDAF collects data from call flows across the 5G control plane through messages captured and filtered by the Oracle Communications Network Analytics Data Director (OCNADD).

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.

OCNWDAF installation is supported over the following platforms:
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, Cloud Native Environment (CNE)
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

    For more information, see Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Installation, Upgrade, and Fault Recovery Guide.

Note:

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

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 Solution Guide
  • Oracle Communications Networks Data Analytics Function Troubleshooting Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Configuration Console Installation, Upgrade, and Fault Recovery Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Environment Installation, Upgrade, and Fault Recovery Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, cnDBTier Installation, Upgrade, and Fault Recovery Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, cnDBTier User Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, OCI Adaptor Deployment Guide
  • Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core, OCI Adaptor Reference Architecture Guide

1.3 Oracle Error Correction Policy

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

Table 1-1 Oracle Error Correction Policy

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 24.1.0 April 2025
3.23.4 December 2023 23.4.0 December 2024
2.23.3 September 2023 23.3.0.0.1 September 2024

Note:

For a release, Sev1 and Critical Patch Unit (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.