Software-Defined 5G Networks: Challenges, and Technologies

The commoditization of key processing components coupled with virtualization of infrastructure functions will lead to a radical change in the economics of mobile networks. The latter will help network providers (e.g., MNO, MVNO) move from proprietary hardware and software platforms towards open and flexible cellular systems based on general-purpose cloud infrastructures. In this context, 5G systems will see a paradigm shift in three planes: the data-plane, control-plane, and managementplane, in support of higher performance, efficient signaling, flexible and intelligent control and coordination in heterogeneous networks. This tutorial discusses all of these topics, identifying key challenges in software-defined 5G networks for future research as well as the standardization activities, while providing a comprehensive overview of the current literature. It is organized in four technical parts covering principles, challenges, key technologies, proof-of-concept prototypes and field trials of software-define 5G systems.