ETSI NFV Release 3 introduces critical features for 5G, including support for network slicing, management across multi-administrative domains, and multi-site connectivity to handle diverse application requirements. This release results from deep collaboration with 3GPP SA5 to ensure interoperability between the ETSI NFV Management and Orchestration (MANO) system and 3GPP-defined management layers for virtualized Core Networks and Radio Access Networks. A key technical advancement defines an external touchpoint where the NFV Network Service acts as a composite element of the 3GPP SA5 network slice subnet construct, enabling seamless integration of the 3GPP Network Resource Model with the ETSI NFV Information Model. These specifications facilitate market implementations that can effectively combine centralized and distributed resources to realize complex 5G network slicing scenarios.
Keywords: network slicing, NFV Release 3, MANO system, virtualized RAN, multi-administrative domains