Deploying ICN in 3GPP’s 5G NextGen Core Architecture

The proposed 3GPP’s 5G Next-generation (NextGen) Core architecture (5GC) enables the ability to introduce new user and control plane functions within the context of network slicing functions to allow greater flexibility in handling of heterogeneous devices and applications. In this paper, we discuss the integration of such architecture with future networking technologies by focusing on the information centric networking (ICN). For that purpose, we first provide a short description of the proposed 5GC, which is followed by a discussion on the extensions to 5GC’s control and user planes to support Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions from ICN end points. To illustrate the value of enabling ICN within 5GC, we focus on two important network services that can be enabled by ICN data networks. The first case targets mobile edge computing for a connected car use case, while the second case targets seamless mobility support for ICN sessions. We present these discussions in consideration with the procedures proposed by 3GPP’s TS23.501 and TS23.502 technical specifications, with the objective to provide mechanisms to introduce ICN in 5GC without disrupting the existing architecture and procedures.