DPU-Based Telecom Network Architecture Toward 6G and AI-Native

Computing and networking platforms would become more decentralized toward B5G and 6G. Various functions and services will be deployed at the far edge, a site located physically closer to the user devices than the current edge-cloud design pattern in 5 G MEC. In such ultra-distributed environments, efficient use of those finite and limited computing and networking resources is one of the most important requirements for telecom operators. UPF, one component of 5GC, is a key function that links mobile and service domains. UPF is a typical example deployed in various platforms, from far edge to on-premise central data centers and clouds. DPUs are an advanced form of SmartNICs that are good at network, security, and storage communication processing and can be controlled as one of the in-network computing infrastructures. In this paper, we present the future telecom network architecture by offloading various network functions to DPUs and implementing UPF features as a first target. We also identify the feasibility of scalable UPF configurations from small to large scale leveraging DPUs and the DPU-dependent implementation issues for commercial applications by conducting essential functionality evaluation and carrier-grade large-scale performance tests.