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UPF Design Document

Note

Author: HanHung Chen
Date: 2024/03/13

Introduction

The User Plane Function (UPF) plays a crucial role in data transfer within the 5G network. It is interconnected with the Data Network (DN) in the 5G architecture. As a primary network function (NF) of the 5G core network (5GC), it handles the most critical aspects of data processing. It is responsible for packet routing and forwarding, packet inspections, quality of service (QoS) handling, and an anchor point for intra & inter-RAT mobility, with new functions on the horizon.
UPF has N3, N4, N6 and N9 four interfaces. Their usages are below:

  • N3: Interface between RAN and the UPF. N3 is based on the GTP-U protocol.
  • N4: Interface between Session Management Function (SMF) and the UPF. N4 is based on the PFCP protocol.
  • N6: Interface between DN and UPF.
  • N9: Interface between two UPFs.

The free5GC implements UPF in two parts, which are:

  • Control plane: GO-UPF (N4)
  • Data plane: GTP5G (N3, N6, N9)

GTP5G is a communication protocol essential for data transmission within the 5G core network. It operates on the user plane, which is responsible for transporting user data between user equipment and the Internet.

This article will focus on the Data plane. Discuss how GO-UPF and GTP5G handle packets within uplink and downlink transmission.

Data Processing Flow

free5GC_UL/DL_Workflow

[1] GO-UPF configuration

  • NewDriver():

    • In addition to initializing a GTP5G device for handling uplink and downlink packets, it is also necessary to configure the corresponding routes for this device.

  • OpenGtp5gLink():

    • The function OpenGtp5gLink() passes the UDP Socket representing N3, accessed through f.Fd(), as a parameter in the IFLA_LINKINFO message to the gtp5g kernel module in the kernel space. The gtp5g module then uses this socket to establish a UDP tunnel for N3.
  • RouteAdd():
    • Add the corresponding route for the N6 Downlink, it indicates all of the traffic, sent to UE, will proceed by the gtp5g network device.

[2] gtp5g_init() initializes gtp5g kernel module:

  • create_proc():

    • The Proc filesystem is a virtual filesystem that allows userspace programs to access kernel data structures and state.

  • register_pernet_subsys():

    • The register_pernet_subsys() function is used to register a pernet subsystem. A pernet subsystem is a framework for managing network namespaces. This allows the gtp5g module to run in different network namespaces.

  • generic family:

    • The gtp5g_genl_family structure is used to define a generic netlink family. A generic netlink family is a way for userspace programs to communicate with the kernel.

  • rtnl_link_ops:

    • The rtnl_link_ops structure is used to define operations related to network devices.

[3] Uplink initialization

  1. gtp5g_newlink():
    • Used to build N3 UDP tunnel and register a new gtp5g device.
  2. gtp5g_encap_enable():
    • Bind UDP socket for receiving N3 packet.

[4] Uplink transmission

  1. gtp5g_encap_recv():
    • At the end of gtp5g_encap_enable function:
      tuncfg.encap_rcv = gtp5g_encap_recv; \
      it indicates that gtp5g_encap_recv() function is responsible for handling the UDP tunnel receiving packet.
  2. gtp1u_udp_encap_recv():
    • The function handles packets encapsulated by GTP protocol.
  3. netif_rx():
    • Provided by the kernel, it sends the packets through the N6 interface.

[5] Downlink initialization

  1. gtp5g_link_setup():
    • Set up net device.
  2. gtp5g_netdev_ops:
    • It's a structure that defines how gtp5g deals with N6 packets.
  3. gtp5g_dev_init():
    • It is called after the net device is registered and initializes some of the device's status.

[6] Downlink transmission

  1. gtp5g_dev_xmit():
    • This function is defined by gtp5g_netdev_ops so it is called when a packet needs to be transmitted.
  2. gtp5g_handle_skb_ipv4():
    • It will query the PDR based on the destination IP. If found successfully, the FAR will then be checked to determine how to handle the packet.
  3. gtp5g_xmit_skb_ipv4():
    • If FAR action is confirmed as FAR_ACTION_FORW, the function gtp5g_xmit_skb_ipv4() will be called and packets will be sent to the UDP tunnel.

Reference

  • 3GPP TS 23.501: System architecture for the 5G System
  • gtp5g 原始程式碼解說 https://ithelp.ithome.com.tw/articles/10302887

About me

Hi, I am Han-Hong Chen, a beginner to 5G and free5gc. This is my first time writing technical article. Let me know without hesitation if there is any mistake in the article.

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