Provisioning of Coexisting eMBB and URLLC services in 5G Network Slicing with Kubernetes-based MANO

The requirements for 5G and Beyond (B5G) networks necessitate the delivery of specific and unique services as outlined in the IMT-2020 standards. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC) demand a highly flexible and adaptive infrastructure. The traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach is no longer adequate for B5G services. This study evaluates the possible implementation of coexisting eMBB and URLLC services, analyzing how network slicing can effectively meet these demands, thereby emerging as a critical solution for B5G. Utilizing virtual private servers (VPS) and open-source software, specifically free5gc for the core network and UERANSIM for the radio access network and Kubernetes-based management and orchestration (MANO), the kube5gnfvo, two network slices are created within a single physical network. The paper presents two scenarios: one involving network slicing with two different user plane function (UPF), and another with distinct UPF and Session Management Function (SMF) for each slice. The results demonstrate the opensource ability in creation of network slicing in supporting diverse B5G service requirements.