Key 5G Network Functions

- Overview

5G Network Functions (NFs) are specialized, software-defined, and virtualized components of the 5G Core (5GC) that manage network operations, user data, and connectivity using a service-based architecture. Unlike 4G hardware, these modular, cloud-native functions run on shared infrastructure, enabling 5G to achieve high speeds, low latency, and efficient network slicing.

These functions are designed as stateless microservices, allowing them to be independently upgraded and scaled to support massive IoT connectivity, enhanced mobile broadband, and critical ultra-reliable communication.  

Key 5G Network Functions include:  

• Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (AMF): Handles device registration, authentication, and connection management.
• Session Management Function (SMF) (SMF): Establishes, maintains, and releases sessions for user devices, including IP address allocation.
• User Plane Function (UPF) (UPF): Routes and forwards user data packets between user devices and external networks (internet), supporting low-latency applications.
• Policy Control Function (PCF) (PCF): Provides policy rules to control plane functions (like SMF) to manage network behavior and service quality.
• Unified Data Management (UDM) (UDM): Manages user credentials, authentication, and subscription profiles.
• Network Repository Function (NRF) (NRF): Facilitates service discovery by allowing Network Functions to discover and communicate with each other.
• Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) (NSSF): Determines which network slice instances should serve a specific user device.
• Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (AUSF): Handles the authentication of devices to the network.
• Network Exposure Function (NEF) (NEF): Securely exposes network capabilities and data to third-party applications or functions via APIs.