5G Network Slice
End-to-end flow for provisioning an enterprise dedicated 5G network slice on a 5G SA core, from slice requirements capture and S-NSSAI type selection through NSSF configuration, core NF instantiation (AMF/SMF/UPF), PCF QoS policy enforcement, RAN resource partitioning with dedicated PRBs, transport slice mapping via SRv6/FlexE, E2E validation, slice-aware billing via CHF, and enterprise self-service portal with NEF API exposure and cross-domain slice assurance.
Architecture Overview
5G network slicing creates logically isolated end-to-end networks on shared physical infrastructure. Each slice has its own S-NSSAI identity, dedicated or shared core NFs (AMF/SMF/UPF), RAN resource partitioning (PRBs), transport isolation (SRv6/FlexE), and independent QoS policies. All 5G core NFs communicate via the SBI (Service-Based Interface) — HTTP/2 REST APIs over a common service bus, replacing the point-to-point Diameter and GTP-C interfaces of 4G EPC. This means SOM orchestrates slice provisioning by calling standardised SBI endpoints on each NF, rather than configuring proprietary per-interface adapters. For enterprise customers, this enables guaranteed SLAs — dedicated bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and traffic isolation — without the cost of a private physical network.
Enterprise Devices
5G CPE, IoT sensors, AR/VR endpoints, autonomous vehicles, and industrial controllers connected to the dedicated enterprise slice via S-NSSAI selection.
RAN
gNB with slice-aware MAC scheduler, dedicated PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks) per slice, O-RAN DU/CU split. mmWave beams directed at enterprise coverage area.
5G Core Slice
Dedicated AMF/SMF/UPF instances per slice (or shared with slice-aware config). All NFs communicate via SBI (HTTP/2 REST) — a fundamental shift from 4G's point-to-point Diameter/GTP-C interfaces. PCF enforces per-slice QoS policies via Npcf. NSSF routes UEs to the correct slice via Nnssf. Edge UPF for URLLC.
BSS/OSS Enablers
SOM orchestrates cross-domain slice provisioning. NFVO/K8s manages NF lifecycle. Slice inventory tracks S-NSSAI, NF instances, RAN config, transport paths. CMDB maps E2E dependencies.
Enterprise Platform
Self-service portal for slice monitoring and device management. NEF (Network Exposure Function) exposes slice APIs. SLA dashboards, auto-scaling triggers, and NOC integration.