5G Core Network Architecture: Network Exposure Function

The fifth generation wireless network (5G) has already begun its journey but making it a reality comes with several challenges along the way. A huge amount of work is underway from telecom operators for designing new technologies that are going to replace the current one (4G). With the arrival of 5G technology, also a wide range of use cases and business models will be enabled. Therefore, telecom networks need to support much greater throughput, lower latency and provide higher flexibility and scalability. To achieve the 5G target goals, the concept of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is introduced. NFV gives the opportunity to mobile operators to modernize their networks by creating a programmable platform, capable of being automated and exposed for operators to extract more value. To make real NFV, operators are using programmable servers in cloud able to run applications locally. One of those applications running on cloud is Network Exposure Function (NEF), a 5G Core Network Function. This thesis work is concentrated on this core network function, presenting its capabilities and features as a future function of new core networks on 5G technology. This thesis work is developed in TeVA lab (Milano) a joint lab between Vodafone and Nokia. It presents a detailed way of Network Exposure Function feature based on the standardization and the NEF developed on lab environment. The main scope of the thesis is to work on lab environment for research and development purposes, setup and showcase NEF for 5G Vodafone Core Network and also enabling a number of 5G use cases for NEF. The last part of the thesis is concentrated on the development of a new application able to exploit NEF exposure capabilities and test NEF features at the same time. This application can be for testing purposes on the lab but at the same time is a good idea for marketing.