5G Network Function

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A Network Function is a 3GPP defined processing function in a network for 5G, which has defined functional behaviour and 3GPP defined interfaces.

A 5G Network Function can be a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or can be deployed in virtualised platform, e.g on cloud.

5G System architecture consists of the following network functions (NF)

Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
Session Management Function (SMF)
User Plane Function (UPF)
Policy Control Function (PCF)
Network Exposure Function (NEF)
Network Repository Function (NRF)
Unified Data Management (UDM)
Authentication Server Function (AUSF)
Non-3GPP InterWorking Function Functional Description (N3IWF)
Application Function (AF)
Unified Data Repository (UDR)
Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF)
Short Message Service Function (SMSF)
Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)
5G-Equipment Identity Register (5G-EIR)
Location Management Function (LMF)
Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP)
Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF)