EPC and 4G Packet Networks, 2nd Edition

Chapter 15

EPS Network Entities and Interfaces

In this chapter we describe in more detail the different network entities, interfaces, protocols, and procedures used in EPS. This chapter can be used as a reference for readers wanting more details than were given in preceding chapters. Before jumping into the actual descriptions, however, it is useful to take a look at what we actually mean by a network entity, an interface, a protocol, and a procedure.

A network entity in EPS is sometimes called a “logical entity” this means in the 3GPP standard it is a logically separate entity with a well-defined functionality. There are also well-defined interfaces between different network entities. This does not, however, imply that actual physical “boxes” ...