This module provides a deep dive into the architectural paradigm shift of the 5G Core (5GC) network. We move beyond traditional telco designs to explore the cloud-native Service-Based Architecture (SBA), its core principles, and how it uses the HTTP/2 protocol for communication between network functions.

The course meticulously breaks down the roles of the key control plane and user plane functions that form the backbone of 5GC, including the AMF (Access and Mobility Management), SMF (Session Management), UPF (User Plane Function), PCF (Policy Control), UDM (Unified Data Management), and newer enablers like the NWDAF (Network Data Analytics) and NSSF (Network Slice Selection).

Finally, we connect this architecture to the operational evolution it requires, providing an overview of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Orchestration. This explains how hardware and software are decoupled to enable the automation, scalability, and flexibility that are fundamental to delivering advanced 5G services like network slicing.