Page 9 - ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables

ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables 1

2 New draft Terms defined by FG IMT-2020 works

The following draft terms and definitions are defined and used by deliverables of FG IMT-2020.
Even if the meeting reached consensus on several important terms and definitions, still much work needs to
continue to harmonize and further development of relevant terms and definition.

2.1 Terms and definitions reached consensus

back haul: The network path connecting the base station site and the network controller or gateway site.
front haul: The intra-base station transport, in which a part of the base station function is moved to the
remote antenna site.
evolved IMT-advanced RATs: The enhanced version of IMT-advanced RATs and they will be supported by
IMT-2020 network.
PDU session: Association between the UE and a data network through IMT-2020 that provides a PDU
connectivity service. The type of the association includes IP type, Ethernet type and non-IP type.
Management: The functions or operations related to management of the network functions and resources.
NOTE – Overall coordination and adaptation for configuration and event reporting are achieved between
network function infrastructure and network management systems. It includes the collection and forwarding
of performance measurements and events. Network function lifecycle management is included with network
function instance management. Network management system is authorized to exercise control over and /or
collect management information from another system. It is tightly connected with BSS/OSS such that the
most efficient and effective way to access, control, deploy, schedule and bind resources is chosen as
requested by customers.

Network Function: A processing function in a network. It includes but is not limited to network nodes
functionality, e.g. session management, mobility management, switching, routing functions, which has
defined functional behaviour and interfaces. Network functions can be implemented as a network node on
a dedicated hardware or as a virtualized software functions.
Network slice blueprint: A complete description of the structure, configuration and the plans/work flows for
how to instantiate and control the Network Slice Instance during its life cycle.
Network softwarization: An overall transformation trend for designing, implementing, deploying, managing
and maintaining network equipment and/or network components by software programming, exploiting the
natures of software such as flexibility and rapidity all along the lifecycle of network equipment/components,
for the sake of creating conditions enabling the re-design of network and services architectures, optimizing
costs and processes, enabling self-management and bringing added values in network infrastructures.

Orchestrator: An entity that fulfils orchestration functions.
NOTE – An entity that manages network service lifecycle and coordinates the management of network
service life cycle, network function lifecycle and network function infra resources to ensure optimized
allocation of the necessary resources and connectivity. It builds and operates each slice suitable for the
service requirements. It is also tightly connected to OSS/BSS for service management.
Network Slice Instance: An activated network slice. It is created based on network slice blueprint (or
template).

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