Preface
This book introduces the mobile network evolution toward 5G from a network architect’s perspective as well as provides an in-depth view of the concepts and technologies required to design and deploy 5G-ready networks.
When the topic of 5G comes up, the focus is typically on the mobile core and radio technologies, often overlooking the underlying data network’s needs. The mobile core, radio access, and transport data networks have historically had well-defined boundaries, thus remaining fairly siloed throughout recent mobile evolutions. However, with 5G, these previously co-dependent yet segregated networks are becoming tightly integrated and encroaching on each other’s domains.
The essential fundamentals of mobile networks, along with advanced data network technologies, are therefore stitched together in this book to provide a comprehensive learning experience for network engineers, designers, and architects.
Motivation for Writing This Book
The authors of this book have been involved in designing and implementing complex service provider networks for a couple of decades. When tasked with designing a 5G network, however, the authors came to the realization that the knowledge and experience accumulated over the years while designing and deploying 3G and 4G mobile backhaul networks are no longer enough. As 5G network architects, the authors had to acquire deeper knowledge of mobile technologies to have meaningful dialogue with mobility and radio architects to be able to translate 5G requirements into an actionable transport network design.
With the rapid proliferation of 5G technology, more network engineers and architects will face similar challenges. These network professionals may be up to date with advanced networking technologies such as software-defined networks, Segment Routing, EVPN, and others, yet they are likely to find themselves in a position where they will need to be proficient in mobile technology to create sophisticated and architecturally robust next-gen mobile transport networks that could satisfy 5G requirements.
The goal of this book is to bridge the knowledge gap for the traditional network engineers with an understanding of 5G technology and its implications on underlying transport networks. It also aims to enable these network architects to interpret the design requirements for the next generation and correlate those with the emerging and essential network technologies required to implement transport networks for 5G. Simultaneously, this book also provides radio network engineers and mobility architects a peek into enabling technologies for the networks supporting 5G.