Improve Network QoE and Reduce TCO with N6 LAN Optimization

Why is N6 LAN Optimization Important?

The N6 LAN is the portion of the 5G network that carries data from the User Plane Function (UPF) to the Internet. It performs the same function as the S/Gi-LAN does in a 4G network. This interface is also the point at which a number of very important network services are applied to traffic, for example, subscriber security services, local DNS (LDNS), carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), firewall and DDoS, TCP optimization, and video optimization. Because of these roles and this placement in the network, N6-LAN plays a critical role in enabling service providers to optimize their 5G networks (see Figures 1a and 1b).

Figure 1a: Prior to optimization, vendor interoperability issues can increase network complexity and TCO.

Figure 1b: By simplifying the network, F5’s N6 LAN consolidated solution frees resources that can be used to create new revenue streams.

How can service providers benefit from N6 LAN optimization?

Service providers need to differentiate themselves from their competitors. They can do this by offering value-added services that attract subscribers and generate new revenue streams, by optimizing the network infrastructure to provide customers a better QoE, or both.  

To identify the right value-added services, and to apply the policies that enforce those services, service providers need greater visibility into the data being sent through their networks. Data without context doesn’t give much value. Data that can be linked to an individual app and subscriber and that is available in real time provides enough information that service providers can identify what sort of services their customers want. This same contextualized, real-time data allows service providers to implement more granular traffic management policies, making it easier to monetize these new offerings. Service providers can also improve the customer experience through network and content optimization techniques such as TCP optimization and video optimization. Ultimately, all of these efforts are meant to generate new revenue streams and reduce customer churn through increased QoE.

Contextualized, real-time data allows service providers to implement more granular traffic management policies, making it easier to monetize new services.

Although it is possible to offer a variety of services on the N6 network via multiple vendors and solutions, this creates significant network complexity. Success depends on the service provider’s ability to coordinate the different hardware and software models and management interfaces, as well as their ability to chain these products and solutions together to produce the desired service. This model is also expensive. The capital costs to purchase the different components are significant, and the system as a whole carries a high operational cost resulting from the need to support and maintain multiple vendors’ solutions. Service providers adopting this service model also must train and staff the operational team that will manage the infrastructure.

What are the benefits of N6 LAN consolidation?

A consolidated and containerized N6 LAN solution helps service providers implement a cost-effective operational model that reduces time to market for new services and cuts down on network complexity.

N6 LAN consolidation improves security and allows dynamic service chaining based on real-time subscriber and application awareness, in turn facilitating the development of new value-added services and new revenue streams. In addition to creating new monetization opportunities, N6 LAN consolidation can also reduce OpEx. By deploying a shared set of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware to run various functions, a service provider can reduce hardware costs and deploy multiple services dynamically. This cloud-based model means service providers can use network resources more efficiently, delivering services based on real-time network conditions. Services can be launched without any network downtime, increasing service agility. A containerized N6 LAN lets service providers innovate, improve subscriber QoE, and lower costs, resulting in up to 60% TCO savings, based on several F5 Customer Case studies.