Network Virtualization and Survivability of 5G Networks

5G networks are slated to provide a wide range of services. A critical need in service delivery in 5G networks is its resilience. In this work, we present a 5G network architecture with network virtualization in a multiple provider setting for network resilience that uses a self-organizing ad hoc network among the gNBs (macrosites). Thus, the primary provider for a 5G network may use a secondary provider for network resilience when network components fail. We present an optimization formulation and a heuristic for network survivability for our proposed 5G network for the primary network provider. Through simulations, we show our proposed heuristic is very close to optimal. The simulation results on the trade-off between using a provider’s own network or rely on auxiliary capacity from another provider allow us to see the trade-off on availability. Finally, we study how priority can be provided for certain traffic groups for service survivability.