Cloud Packet Core (CPC)

Reach new heights in performance to deliver 5G services with confidence

Explore the solution

Take advantage of multi-cloud capabilities and any access (2G/3G/4G/5G and wireline), while minimizing implementation risks and serving any demand with the right capacity, maximum performance and lowest latency. Deploy your evolved packet core (EPC) and 5G core (5GC) with the flexibility of cloud-native network functions (CNFs), physical network functions (PNFs) and pre-integrated server-based appliances.

On this page

What is packet core?
Features and capabilities
5G Monetization with CPC
Video Series
Cloud Packet Core Explained
Packet core products
Key design principles
Certification and training
Related products and solutions
Learn more

What is packet core?

The Nokia packet core provides key components needed for a webscale-class evolved packet core (EPC) and 5G core system (5GC). With its virtualized, cloud-native disaggregated and state-efficient design, it is well suited for multi-cloud environments. It is also infrastructure agnostic and independent of the underlying cloud infrastructure used for orchestration, lifecycle management (LCM) and infrastructure resource management.

Pre-integrated appliances offer network growth, deliver additional functionality and mitigate end of life challenges due to limited cloud infrastructure. The Nokia packet core can anchor both wireless (2/3/4/5G NSA and SA) and wireline (xDSL, PON, fiber) access technologies, forming a universal adaptive core.

Packet core features and capabilities

Capture new revenue opportunities by delivering a diverse range of exciting services. This requires a feature-rich, high-performing, capable and reliable packet core that can be deployed without limitations and evolved with confidence on any cloud and using any access technology (2G/3G/4G/5G).

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Deploy with flexibility, ensure performance

Find out how Nokia’s packet core flexibility meets your needs wherever you are on your cloud journey.

Minimized latency - a compact, high performance and distributed packet core for user plane slice selection and local traffic offload helps to meet the needs of ultra-reliable low latency use cases.
Increased flexibility - packet core network functions can be introduced or expanded rapidly with a simple software upgrade or a pre-integrated appliance.
Resource efficiency - the unified control plane can manage multiple wireless and wireline user plane functions located anywhere in the network.

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Maximize throughput, minimize latency

Find out how Nokia’s packet core helps you to achieve industry-leading performance from integrated IP services and a high-performance IP forwarding engine.

Cost-effective network - 3.5x greater throughput compared to dedicated external network elements.
Improved customer experience - the high performance packet core gateway minimizes latency for the delivery of uRLLC use cases.
Lower OPEX - fewer network functions need to be processed and maintained.

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Observe your packet core performance

Find out how Nokia packet core's observation capability leads you to effective operations and monetization.

Performance analysis - analysis of individual device sessions and behavior is enabled by packet core network function per call measurement data (PCMD) for detailed insights to help maintain service performance.
Visibility at all levels - monitoring overall packet core network with per-interface and per-flow granularity enables you to get ahead of issues.
Openness - open cloud native computing foundation (CNCF) components can be used for easy logging, tracing and monitoring.

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5G Monetization with Cloud Packet Core

5G has an increasing potential for cost optimization and revenue generation. Together with automation, performance, flexibility, and innovation, a clear use case with positive ROI is one of the most important drivers for CSPs to step ahead and initiate the evolution of existing networks.

5G Monetization use case for enterprises with Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)

A well-known use case is Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), where end users benefit from 5G high speeds and low latency for multiple applications. Now, we are moving one step further and improving this solution to meet enterprises' needs using Ethernet over Fixed Wireless Access or simply EoFWA. This new solution enables L2 connectivity through multiple sites while delivering all 5G benefits.

To explore more, read the blog "Why Ethernet over FWA means business" and watch how EoFWA bridges the digital divide.

Why Ethernet over FWA means business

Cloud Packet Core Video Series

The packet core is arguably the most important technology for helping communications service providers (CSPs) get the biggest benefits from the many opportunities 5G creates. To illustrate why, we’ve created these five short videos with the priorities that CSPs tell us they must address and our vision of technology trends.

Video

Minimize 5G Cloud Packet Core implementation risks and monetize services

Video

Evolving with confidence to 5G network

Video

Main 5G priorities: Innovation, Innovation and innovation

Video

Simplifying operations can have a significant impact on ROI

Video

Openness will let you grow unhindered

Blog

Six ways the cloud packet core makes 5G real

Cloud Packet Core Explained

Cloud Packet Core plays a fundamental role on 5G Packet Data networks, especially when it comes to Stand Alone Core and Service Based Architecture. 5G brings concepts that are new to the telecommunications world. Although some of them like Virtualization, Cloud Core and Cloud Native are grounded by now, other ones may still raise questions. To help clarify some of these concepts, we created the videos below. Please watch them and leave your comments.

Video

Nokia Core Talk: Building the future together with Telia

Video

5G Cloud Packet Core: Let's talk facts! - Virtual Roundtable

Video

Nokia Core Networks Strategy and Innovation Directions

Packet core products

The Nokia packet core consists of the Cloud Mobile Gateway (CMG), Cloud Mobility Manager (CMM) and Cloud Network Resource Director (CNRD). These products provide key components of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core (5GC) and 2G/3G mobile packet core domains for the creation of a single packet core network.

Cloud Mobile Gateway

The Cloud Mobile Gateway (CMG) supports multi-access connectivity by converging multiple mobile packet core gateway functions.

In 4G evolved packet core (4G EPC) networks this includes the serving gateway/packet data network gateway/ gateway GPRS support node (SGW/PGW/GGSN), policy control enforcement function (PCEF), subscriber services gateway (SSG) providing carrier-grade network address translation (NAT), TCP optimization, firewall and service chain steering capabilities, hybrid access gateway (HAG) for converged service delivery, home agent node (HA), evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) and trusted wireless access gateway (TWAG).

In 5G core (5GC) networks this includes the session management function (SMF) and user plane function (UPF).

Cloud Mobility Manager

The Cloud Mobility Manager (CMM) is a key control plane element of the Nokia packet core solution built to support the growth of diverse services as well as the evolution to a 5G core system (5GC).

In 4G evolved packet core (4G EPC) networks the CMM provides the mobility management entity (MME) function, and the serving GPRS support node (SGSN) function in 2G/3G mobile packet core networks.

In 5G core (5GC) networks the CMM provides the access and mobility management function (AMF).

Cloud Network Resource Director

The Cloud Network Resource Director (CNRD) provides two 5G core (5GC) network functions: Network Repository Function (NRF) and Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), as defined in the 3GPP SBA (Service Based Architecture).

The NRF stores the network function (NF) registration information. It allows NF to act as "Producer" or "Consumer" of services, besides subscribing to services from other network functions.

The NSSF defines the correct network slice from the list pre-defined ones, to serve a specific device. It also sets the correct NF and resources to serve the requesting device.

5G packet core security

Nokia Cloud Packet Core is cloud native by design. It provides high performance and latency thanks to modern architecture, enabling multi-cloud and appliances-based deployments. It also allows wireline (optical, fiber, cable) and wireless (2G/3G/4G/5G) convergence.

It is designed for privacy and security, with layered protection based on defense-in-depth design and zero-trust principles and tested against 5G-specific use cases.CSPs get full control to secure their 5G services, thanks to the pervasive and automated security management built into our design practices, 5G core software, and dedicated security solutions.

Cloud Packet Core security

Packet core and 5G core (5GC) certification and training

The Nokia 5G packet core overview eLearning module introduces the 5G core (5GC) system architecture and highlights its characteristics. It describes the Nokia solution for 5G non-standalone option 3X. It also examines the concept of network slicing, main concepts of 5G core security and the architecture of the 5G core system (5GC) by highlighting each network function's role. Demonstrations and uses cases are integrated throughout the course to reinforce learning objectives.

After completing the course, students should be able to:

Identify the drivers and benefits of 5G
Present the 5G core (5GC) system architecture and its deployment options
Describe the 5G non-standalone option 3X
Illustrate the 5G core system (5GC) architecture
Identify the role of each network function in the 5G core (5GC)
Describe the service-based architecture in the 5G core system (5GC)
Describe the packet core mobility and session management functions in the 5G core (5GC)
Describe the concept of 5G core (5GC) network slicing
Explain the 5G quality of service (QoS) framework and the main components of 5G core (5GC) security[FU2]

For further details visit the Cloud Packet Core certification and evolution to 5G webpage.